Stefan Mileschin

Aerospace EADS and German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp recorded major attacks by Chinese hackers in 2012, it has emerged. According to Der Spiegel, the efforts were part of a wider trend of increasingly significant cyber attacks targeting German companies.

EADS confirmed the attacks, telling Reuters that they were "standard attacks" and that the company is working closely with authorities to address the problem.

EADS is the parent company of Airbus and it is also one of the biggest defence contractors in Europe, responsible for projects such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Eurocopter Tiger and with strong ties to Dassault Aviation, makers of the Rafale fighter jet.

ThyssenKrupp also confirmed the attack, saying it took place in the US and originated from a Chinese internet address. The company did not say whether the hackers obtained any sensitive information.

ThyssenKrupp is one of Europe's biggest conglomerates, with operations spread out along 670 companies worldwide.

The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution recorded 1,100 cyber attacks from foreign secret services in 2012. Most attacks targeted politicians involved with energy and finance.

http://news.techeye.net/security/chi...d-thyssenkrupp