Hackers target Canadian government’s potash documents

The Ottawa Citizen reports that computer hackers went after potash documents in the Finance Department and Treasury Board networks.

An email, pretending to come from an aboriginal group, was opened by department officials. A link in the email installed malware on the worker’s computers, which facilitated the attacks.

Industry officials believe the attack was launched from China.

International mining firms are covetous of Canada’s potash industry.

North Atlantic Potash sold its potash claims in northern Saskatchwan to a Chinese mining firm for $110 million.

Last year BHP Billiton launched a failed bid for PotashCorp.

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