Chinese Hackers Suspected In Long-Term Nortel Breach
For nearly a decade, hackers enjoyed widespread access to the corporate computer network of Nortel Networks Ltd., a once-giant telecommunications firm now fallen on hard times.
Using seven passwords stolen from top Nortel executives, including the chief executive, the hackers — who appeared to be working in China — penetrated Nortel’s computers at least as far back as 2000 and over the years downloaded technical papers, research-and-development reports, business plans, employee emails and other documents, according to Brian Shields, a former 19-year Nortel veteran who led an internal investigation.
