Washington Post investigating cyberattack against journalists’ email accounts

The Washington Post is investigating a cyberattack that targeted the email accounts of several of its journalists. The attack has raised concerns over the safety of sensitive information and the growing threat of cyberattacks against media outlets. It was first detected on Thursday (June 12) when unusual activity was reported within the Washington Post’s email system. Executive Editor Matt Murray promptly informed employees of a “possible targeted unauthorized intrusion” via an internal memo. After that, login credentials for all staff members were reset to contain the intrusion and prevent further unauthorized access. The newspaper has brought in a forensic team to investigate the scope and nature of the intrusion. Early indications suggest the potential involvement of a foreign entity, which increases the severity of the incident.
Law enforcement agencies have also been notified about the incident and are collaborating with the Washington Post to identify its origins. Meanwhile, the Post is stepping up cybersecurity measures, requiring all employees to reset their passwords and reviewing its security infrastructure to prevent further attacks. It is not the first cyberattack against news organizations worldwide. In 2022, News Corp, the parent company of the Wall Street Journal, experienced a breach that compromised the data and email accounts of its journalists.