CBS News confirms reporter’s computer was hacked

CBS News said Friday it has confirmed that a computer used by one of its reporters was hacked by an unknown party several times in 2012, and that it’s taking steps to investigate who is responsible for the attack.

“A cyber security firm hired by CBS News has determined through forensic analysis that Sharyl Attkisson’s computer was accessed by an unauthorized, external, unknown party on multiple occasions late in 2012,” a statement from CBS reads in part. “CBS News is taking steps to identify the responsible party and their method of access.”

{mosads}CBS said a party remotely accessed Attkisson’s accounts and “executed commands that appeared to involve search and exfiltration of data.” The breach was covered up using “sophisticated methods to remove all possible indications of unauthorized activity, and alter system times to cause further confusion,” according to CBS.

Last month, Attkisson made waves when she announced on a radio show that her computer had been hacked, and speculated that “there could be some relationship” between that and revelations that the Justice Department has been aggressively pursuing national security leaks by subpoenaing reporter phone records.

Attorney General Eric Holder and his department have also been under fire for monitoring the movements of Fox News reporter James Rosen in and out of the State Department.

The DOJ at the time responded to Atkisson’s insinuation.

“To our knowledge, the Justice Department has never compromised Ms. Attkisson’s computers, or otherwise sought any information from or concerning any telephone, computer, or other media device she may own or use,” the agency said.

Atkisson later said she was “not prepared to make an allegation against a specific entity” and would wait for the results of the investigation.