Methods - Why IE 6
One of the methods used in the hack was an Internet Explorer flaw. For such a high profile hack, flaws like this are basically one time use. Because after they are found the flaw is fixed. Microsoft supposedly will be issuing something on Tuesday for this. By clicking on a link from an E-Mail from a trusted source (fake E-mail), the hacker then could use the computer remotely.

Lesson - don't click on any link and/or attachments unless you expect them.

Companies Affected (known out of 34):

• Google - Access to activist E-Mail accounts
  
• Adobe - Seeking possible hacks into Adobe Reader and Acrobat they could use to enter other systems.
  
• Juniper Networks - Probably just IP. Juniper is a the cutting edge of the hardware for the Internet.
  
• Legal Firm representing a firm suing China for $2.2 Billion
  
• Yahoo (rumor)
  
• Symantec (rumor)
• Northrop Grumman (rumor)
• Dow Chemical (rumor)
• Rackspace (hosting company used to transfer information)
  

History

• Hacking into 100 Silicon Valley Companies in July 2009 using a pdf attachment
  
• Obama and McCain Campaigns Hacked in 2008
• May 2008 - Dalai Lama Hacking
• US Secretary of Commerce Laptop hacked in China. June 2008.
  
• November 2007 - US & British Businesses doing business in China were targeted.
• Going back to 2005 per an article for hacking by China.
  

References:

• More details emerge on Google hack - SC Magazine for IT Security Professionals
• Behind the China attacks on Google (FAQ) - CNET
• China-based Google attacks similar to prior ones
• Security experts dissect Google China attack • The Register

Labels: china's future