Hackers targeting Clinton aides struck across US

Note: Not sure if Chicago Tribune is an approved reputable site.

The Russian hackers who hit the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign burrowed much further into the U.S. political system, sweeping in law firms, lobbyists, consultants, foundations and the policy groups known as think tanks, according to a person familiar with investigations of the attacks.

Almost 4,000 Google accounts were targeted in an elaborate "spear phishing" campaign -- intended to trick users into providing access so that information could be gleaned from personal and organizational accounts -- from October through mid-May, according to the person, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information.

The sweeping scope of the spying on the U.S. political establishment suggests an information dragnet far larger than previously reported and one meant to gather a near-encyclopedic understanding of the next president and those who will influence his or her thinking. Based on data now being analyzed, various security researchers believe the campaign stems from hackers linked to Russian intelligence services and has been broadly successful, extracting reams of reports, policy papers, correspondence and other information.

"These foreign governments are negotiating machines" with much to gain from a U.S. politician's priorities and weaknesses, said John Prisco, chief executive officer of Rockville, Maryland-based security company Triumfant. "Understanding the possible next president at the depth that the DNC does will help them enormously if they have to deal" with the winner in the White House.

Snip

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-blm-russia-dems-hackers-96187e92-3582-11e6-ab9d-1da2b0f24f93-20160618-story.html