Sharyl Attkisson's Computer Was Hacked

CBS released a statement:

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. Evidence suggests this party performed all access remotely using Attkisson’s accounts. While no malicious code was found, forensic analysis revealed an intruder had executed commands that appeared to involve search and exfiltration of data.

This party also used sophisticated methods to remove all possible indications of unauthorized activity, and alter system times to cause further confusion.

CBS News is taking steps to identify the responsible party and their method of access.

Didn't she say it was both her home computer and her work computer?

Question: Could someone who is more savvy than me, explain this sentence? I've bolded the part that's catching me: "Evidence suggests this party performed all access remotely using Attkisson’s accounts."

They remotely accessed her computer by using her accounts? Eh? Could they be talking about a virtual machine or some kind of remote secure login via, e.g., RSA token? Or could this be something like Windows Remote Assistance?

posted by Gabriel Malor at 11:06 AM

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