Security firm claims cyber espionage to game US markets

Boston

SECURITY researchers say they have uncovered a cyber espionage ring focused on stealing corporate secrets for the purpose of gaming the stock market, in an operation that has compromised sensitive data about dozens of publicly held companies.

Cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc, which disclosed the operation on Monday, said that since the middle of last year, the group has attacked e-mail accounts at more than 100 firms, most of them pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.

Victims also include firms in other sectors, as well as corporate advisers including investment bankers, attorneys and investor relations firms,…