IBM warns hackers targeting vaccine distribution

Computer hacking has proven a persistent problem for drugmakers and authorities in their efforts to produce a coronavirus vaccine,

Now software giant IBM has warned hackers have targeted computers critical to the distribution of vaccines.

IBM said in a blog post Thursday (December 3) it had uncovered a 'global phishing campaign'.

It's focused on organizations associated with the so-called 'cold chain' of vaccine distribution.

Building a secure cold chain is critical to the success of a global vaccine campaign.

It is the process needed to keep vaccine doses at extremely cold temperatures as they travel from manufacturers to people's arms.

For instance, the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech needs to be kept at minus 70 degrees Celsius.

IBM said it had detected an advanced group of hackers working to gather information about different features of the cold chain.

They used booby-trapped emails sent in the name of an executive with Haier Biomedical.

Haier is a Chinese cold chain provider that specializes in vaccine transport and sample storage.

IBM said the hackers went through 'an exceptional amount of effort' with their research and efforts to seem convincing.

It believes the bogus emails went to around 10 different organizations - including the European Commission.

It is not clear who was behind the cyber attack.

Reuters has previously reported that cybersecurity experts have accused hackers linked to countries like North Korea, Russia and China of trying to steal information about the virus and potential treatments.

IBM said on this occasion there was no shortage of potential suspects.