![\"State-backed](\"https:\/\/wp-assets.futurism.com\/2020\/07\/china-hacked-vatican-300x158.jpg\")
<\/div>Holy Hack<\/h2>
State-backed Chinese hackers allegedly targeted both the Vatican and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong in a months-long attack.<\/p>
The attacks, first spotted by the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future, occurred as the Vatican and Chinese government prepare for a round of diplomatic negotiations, according to The Associated Press<\/em><\/a>. China called the accusation “groundless speculation,” but Recorded Future suggests that state-backed hacker<\/a> group RedDelta attempted to give China a leg up in the upcoming talks.<\/p> In September, the Vatican and Chinese government are slated to begin renegotiations of a 2018 diplomatic agreement about bishop appointments within the country, according to AP News<\/em>. The deal is a key part of the two parties’ relationship.<\/p> “The suspected intrusion into the Vatican would offer RedDelta insight into the negotiating position of the Holy See ahead of the deal’s September 2020 renewal,” reads Recorded Futures’ report<\/a>.<\/p> Catholicism has been a problem for the Chinese government: AP News<\/em> reports that the country’s 12 million Catholics are split in half between a Chinese-backed sect and an underground church that remains loyal to the Pope.<\/p> The 2018 deal — and the upcoming renewal — was an attempt to unite the two factions. The original agreement recognized the status of seven state-appointed bishops who hadn’t been approved by the Vatican, smoothing over relations between the two.<\/p> READ MORE: <\/strong>Vatican allegedly hacked by China ahead of key talks<\/a> [The Associated Press<\/em>]<\/p> More on the Vatican:<\/strong> Trolls Immediately Attack Vatican Minecraft Server<\/a><\/em><\/p> The post China Allegedly Hacked the Vatican, Other Catholic Computer Systems<\/a> appeared first on Futurism<\/a>.<\/p> Read the original here: Holy Hack State-backed Chinese hackers allegedly targeted both the Vatican and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong in a months-long attack. Continue reading Aggressive Negotiations<\/h2>
Underground Catholicism<\/h2>
China Allegedly Hacked the Vatican, Other Catholic Computer Systems<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"