The New York Times exposes a cyber attack, for whatever that's worth

The New York Times published a chilling report Wednesday that its computer network had been under prolonged, sophisticated attack by hackers apparently based in China. I say "chilling" because the hackers' most likely goal was to identify the sources behind a particularly sensitive Times expose: the revelations about the wealth accumulated by relatives of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. If people in China (or anywhere else, for that matter) come to believe they can't talk to journalists without being hunted down by the authorities, they'll stop blowing the whistle on crime and corruption.

By Jon Healey

January 31, 2013