Hackers have been targeting the servers of the computer network of the external affairs ministry from time to time, but there has been no breach of classified information, official sources said Friday.

The government has traced a recent hacking of the ministry's computer network to some Chinese IP addresses, but is not sure about the antecedents of hackers or whether they have any links with the Chinese government, the source here said.

'There is nothing new in it. It's been going on for the last five years, but as the government has put safeguards in place no sensitive information has leaked out,' the source added.

'Not all of the hackers are Chinese. Some IP addresses were also traced to Americans and Europeans,' he said.

The ministry routinely conducts audit of the safety of its computer network to prevent hackers from succeeding.

The hackers try to break into the ministry's communications network to access e-mails among officials and communication with foreign missions that gives them clues to policy making in crucial areas.

The Indian external affairs ministry is not alone in being targeted by hackers. The internal network of the Pentagon, the US defence headqurters, was targeted last year allegedly by Chinese hackers. The Chinese government denied any link with these hackers.

Subscribe to daily press alerts via email »