Australia being targeted by ‘sophisticated’ state-sponsored cyber attack

Australia is being subjected to a ‘sophisticated’ cyber attack by an unnamed ‘state-based actor’.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed that the campaign has targeted all levels of government, along with political organisations, essential service providers and other critical infrastructure. Although the threat was constant, the frequency of attacks has increased ‘over many months’.

He said: ‘We know it is a sophisticated state-based cyber actor because of the scale and nature of the targeting.’

Mr Morrison did not name the country responsible, but said there are ‘not a large number’ capable of mounting such massive cyber operations. He said he was making the threat public to raise awareness with others who could be targeted.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said parliament, businesses, schools and hospitals have all been targeted (Picture: AP)

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There is no evidence of any large-scale personal data breaches from the attack.

But businesses and organisations have been warned to ensure any web or email servers are fully updated with the latest software and the use of multi-factor authentication.

Mr Morrison also confirmed he had spoken with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday about the issue, while briefings to other allies have also been conducted.

Mr Morrison confirmed he has discussed the attacks with Boris Johnson (Picture: Getty)

He would not comment on speculation that the cyber-attacks were part of Australia’s increasingly hostile rift with China.

China recently banned beef exports from Australia’s largest abattoirs, ended trade in Australian barley with a tariff wall and warned its citizens against visiting the country.

The measures are widely interpreted as punishment for Australia’s advocacy of an independent probe into the origins and spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Morrison would not name the country behind the cyber campaign (Picture: EPA)

Australia’s foreign minister Marise Payne this week accused China of using the anxiety around the pandemic to undermine Western democracies by spreading disinformation online, prompting China to accuse Australia of disinformation.

Mr Morrison said Australia ‘doesn’t engage lightly in public attribution’ and would not name the country behind the current cyber campaign.

‘I can’t control what speculation others might engage in on this issue,’ he added.

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