Census Bureau Investigating Hack After Anonymous Leaks Data Online

“Earlier this week, the Census Bureau experienced an attack to gain access to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, which is housed on an externally facing IT system that contains non-confidential information”, read the post.

“Security and data stewardship are integral to the Census Bureau mission”, the statement said.

A Census Bureau spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider an attack did occur, but added no internal systems were affected.

The US Census Bureau is investigating an IT security incident relating to unauthorised access to non-confidential information on an external system that is not part of the Census Bureau internal network. He further stated that the bureau will go to any length in its quest to protect all its information.

It was originally unclear how the hackers managed to steal the data.

The link referenced in the tweet leads to a post where members of the group share four “leaks” that allegedly include information on database management system users. According to an NBC report, the director of the Bureau, John H. The leaked files also include a database of usernames and hashed passwords, which appear to have been run through the MD5 or an Oracle DES algorithms. Those responsible are believed to be associated with the loose-knit hackers’ collective Anonymous (as opposed to, say, the Chinese government, the Russian government, or similarly well-armed non-American state actors). TTP is a proposed trade agreement between the U.S. and 11 other countries around the Pacific Rim and is aimed at boosting investment opportunities and lowering trade barriers. The European Union and the US are now discussing the matter in secret, which Anonymous has been vocally opposing.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has said the personal details of 21.5 million people who underwent background security checks for government jobs were compromised, along with 1.1 million fingerprints.

The agency continues to investigate the breach while also scanning for vulnerabilities. However, US President Barack Obama’s administration said it will not officially blame China for the OPM hack, or take action against it, in the immediate future on July 22.