Chinese hackers are targeting Covid-19 research, says US 

Bloomberg

Hackers working for the Chinese government are trying to steal valuable research on coronavirus vaccines and treatments from US healthcare, pharmaceutical and research organisations, the FBI and
the Department of Homeland Security warned.
“China’s efforts to target these sectors pose a significant threat to our nation’s response to Covid-19,” the Federal Bureau of Investigation and DHS’s Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency said in a joint statement.
“The potential theft of this information jeopardises the delivery of secure, effective and efficient treatment options,” the agencies said.
The announcement represents an escalation in US efforts to combat Chinese espionage and cyber-attacks. It comes as President Donald Trump attempts to blame the Chinese government for not doing more to prevent the global spread of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 80,000 people in the US and ravaged the
economy.
The alert didn’t explain whether the alleged goal of the Chinese hackers was solely to steal data on coronavirus treatments in development or to interfere with US efforts to create a vaccine by disrupting or disabling computer networks. The alert also didn’t say whether any hacking attacks have been successful.
China’s foreign ministry said it “deplores and firmly opposes such slanderous actions” in response to a question about the report at a Thursday news briefing in Beijing.
“China is a staunch champion of cybersecurity and one of the major victims of cyber attacks,” ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters. “Spreading rumours, smearing and scapegoating will not make the virus go away or end the pandemic.”