US Justice Department, federal court system hit by Russian hack

The FBI seal is seen before a news conference at its headquarters in Washington. The US government on Jan 5, 2021, said a devastating hack of federal agencies is ‘likely Russian in origin’ and said the operation appeared to be an ‘intelligence gathering’ effort. The assessment was disclosed in a rare public statement from the FBI and other investigative agencies. — AP

WASHINGTON: The US Justice Department and the federal court system disclosed on Jan 6 that they were among the dozens of US government agencies and private businesses compromised by a massive cyberespionage campaign that US officials have linked to elite Russia hackers.

The extent of the damage was unclear.