Google China hacks 'a possible inside job'

Cyber attacks against human rights activists could have been facilitated by people working in Google's China office, say reports

Google is investigating whether its own employees played a role in the recent Chinese cyber attacks against the search company, reports Reuters Photo: GETTY

Sources familiar with the situation told Reuters that Google is investigating the possibility that employees with access to specific parts of Google's networks could have played a role in the cyber attacks, which saw the email accounts of human rights activists compromised, and prompted the search giant to announce that it was considering closing its Chinese operation unless it could offer the country's citizens access to an uncensored web.

"We're not commenting on rumour and speculation," said Google in a statement. "This is an ongoing investigation, and we simply cannot comment on the details," a Google spokeswoman said.

According to local Chinese media, some Google China workers were denied access to the company's internal networks after Jan 13, the day after Google announced its "new approach" to business in the country. Local media also reported that some staff were put on leave and others were transferred to different Google offices across the Asia-Pacific region.

Security analysts believe the malicious software used to carry out the attacks against Google, Chinese dissidents and human rights supporters, was a variation of the Hydraq virus. This virus, known as a Trojan, allowed hackers to gain unauthorised access to computers and networks through a "back door", giving them control of the machine.