The Library of Congress has notified lawmakers of a breach of its computer system by hackersthat affected emails of some congressional offices and library staff, according to an email obtained by The Associated Press.
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The library said a hacker had access to email communications between January and September.
The matter has been referred to law enforcement, the library. Authorities did not provide immediate information about the perpetrator, including whether his identity was known.
The Library of Congress operates across from the Capitol within the complex. It is the largest library in the world, according to its website, and has “millions of books, films and videos, sound recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps, and manuscripts in its collections.”
The Library is also the primary research arm of Congress and home to the U.S. Copyright Office.
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In its notification of the breach, the Library of Congress noted that the House and Senate information technology networks, “including individual House and Senate email accounts, were not compromised in any way.”
It said that "an adversary accessed email communications between Congressional offices and Library staff, including the Congressional Research Service, compromising information obtained in those emails."
The notifications stated that the US Copyright Office's systems were not affected by the breach.
The Library of Congress said it is in the process of analyzing the breached emails and will contact specific congressional offices and staff members for more information.
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In today’s digital age, a cyber poses a serious threat to both individuals and organizations. A cyber breach occurs when unauthorized individuals gain access to a computer system or network, often resulting in the theft of sensitive data. These breaches can have devastating consequences, including financial losses, reputational damage, and legal liabilities. The causes of cyber breaches vary, from phishing and malware to sophisticated hacking. To mitigate these risks, it is essential to implement robust cybersecurity measures, such as strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular software updates. Awareness and education are crucial to building a defense against potential threats in an increasingly connected world.
Source: securityweek
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