By Michael Riley – Feb 24, 2011 8:26 AM GMT
Computer hackers working through Internet servers in China broke into and stole proprietary information from the networks of six U.S. and European energy companies, including Exxon Mobil Corp., Royal Dutch Shell Plc and BP Plc, according to one of the companies and investigators who declined to be identified.
McAfee Inc., a cyber-security firm, reported Feb. 10 that such attacks had resulted in the loss of project-financing information with regard to oil and gas field bids and operations. In its report, Santa Clara, California-based McAfee, assisted by other cyber-security firms, didnt identify the energy companies targeted. The attacks, which it dubbed Night Dragon, originated primarily in China and occurred during the past three years.