The ET GenAI Hackathon 2026 has announced the results of its Idea Submission phase, with the shortlist finalised after evaluating entries from more than 54
Technology

The ET GenAI Hackathon 2026 has announced the results of its Idea Submission phase, with the shortlist finalised after evaluating entries from more than 54,000 builders across India. Shortlisted teams now advance to the Prototype Development Phase

The fast-expanding war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has captured global attention largely because it is disrupting oil and gas supplies from the
World

The fast-expanding war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has captured global attention largely because it is disrupting oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf. Yet another resource is now emerging as far more critical to the survival of the region’s societies. Water

Indian technology stocks have seen an unprecedented rout over the past few weeks over fears of artificial intelligence upending the traditional outsourcing
World

Indian technology stocks have seen an unprecedented rout over the past few weeks over fears of artificial intelligence upending the traditional outsourcing model that powers the country's $300bn (£223bn) back-office industry. The sell-off - part of a global correction in traditional software and

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday managed an easy victory in the biennial polls to five Rajya Sabha seats in
Politics

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday managed an easy victory in the biennial polls to five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, with its candidates including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin

Star Brazilian forward Neymar didn’t receive a call-up to the national team squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia
Latest News

Star Brazilian forward Neymar didn’t receive a call-up to the national team squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, although striker Endrick found a spot. With this snub, Neymar’s hopes of playing at the upcoming FIFA World Cup have received a massive blow

Foreign hacker in 2023 compromised Epstein files held by FBI, source and documents show

Posted By: Tarun Kumar Posted On: Mar 11, 2026Share Article
Foreign hacker in 2023 compromised Epstein files held by FBI

A compromised files relating to the FBI's investigation of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a break-in at the bureau's New York Field Office three years ago, according to a source familiar with the matter and recently published Justice Department documents reviewed by Reuters.

The details of who accessed a server at the FBI's New York Field Office, including the allegation that a foreign hacker was involved, are being reported here for the first time.

In a statement, the FBI said what it described as a "cyber incident" was "an isolated one."

"The FBI restricted access to the malicious actor and rectified the network. The investigation remains ongoing, so ‌we do not have further ⁠comments to ⁠provide at this time." Although the source said the intrusion appeared to have been carried out by a cybercriminal rather than a foreign government, the incident underscoresthe files' potential intelligence value, one academic said. The legally mandated publication of U.S. Justice Department ​documents has exposed the dead financier's ties to prominent people in politics, finance, academia and business, triggering investigations in countries around the world.

"Who wouldn't be going after the Epstein files if you're the Russians or somebody ​interested in kompromat?" said Jon Lindsay, who researches the role of emerging technology in global security at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "If foreign intelligence agencies are not thinking seriously about the Epstein files as a target, then I would be shocked." The breach was reported contemporaneously by CNN and Reuters on February 17; the connection to Epstein materials was made by the French magazine Marianne. Epstein, a ​longtime associate of President Donald Trump, pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution charges, including soliciting an underage girl. He was found ⁠hanged in ‌his jail cell in 2019, in what was ruled a suicide, after being arrested again on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors.

February 2023 break-in

The ​hack occurred after a server ​at the Child Exploitation Forensic Lab in the FBI's New York Field Office was inadvertently left vulnerable by Special Agent Aaron Spivack, who was trying ⁠to navigate the bureau's complex procedures for handling digital evidence, according to the source and the documents. A timeline ​written by Spivack and included in the large cache of Epstein documents released earlier this year said the break-in happened on February ​12, 2023. It was discovered the following day when Spivack turned on his computer and discovered a text file warning him that his network had been compromised, according to that document. Further investigation turned up traces of unusual activity on the server, the document said, adding that the activity "included combing through certain files pertaining to the Epstein investigation."

The timeline does not say which specific files were accessed, whether the hacker downloaded the data, or who the hacker was. Reuters could not establish what, if any, overlap the affected data had with the Epstein documents published earlier this year or the files that remain under wraps. Spivack, whose name appears elsewhere in the documents in connection with the Epstein investigation, did not return repeated messages seeking comment. Reuters was unable to reach the ‌man identified in the documents as Spivack's lawyer, Richard J. Roberson, Jr. Seven FBI agents identified in the documents as being involved in the investigation into the incident did not return messages.

Hacker, FBI chatted by video

In his statement to FBI investigators examining whether he was responsible for the breach, Spivack said ​he was being made "a ​scapegoat for the intrusion" and that conflicting bureau policies ⁠and faulty guidance around information technology were to blame. Reuters could not establish the result of the bureau's internal investigation.

The person familiar with the breach said the intrusion was carried out by a foreign hacker who did not appear to realize they had penetrated a law enforcement server. The hacker expressed disgust at the presence of child abuse images on the device and ​left a message threatening to turn its owner over to the FBI, the person said.

The source said bureau officials defused the situation by convincing the hacker that they actually were the FBI, in part by having the hacker join a video chat where they flashed their law enforcement credentials in front of a web camera.

Reuters could not determine - and the source said they did not know - who the hacker was, what country they were operating from, what they did with the material accessed, or whether any effort was made to identify or punish them for breaking into the FBI's server. Many of the Justice Department's documents have been heavily redacted and others have been kept secret altogether despite a law mandating their full release last year. The Trump administration says it is withholding material that could compromise victims' identities or jeopardize ongoing investigations.

Comment on Post

Leave a comment

If you have a News Orbit 360 user account, your address will be used to display your profile picture.


Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed
Sports
Gavaskar claims Hundred signing

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed "indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians". Gavaskar's comments are the most high-profile criticism of Sunrisers' deal for Abrar at last week's Hundred auction

5 hours ago

The US artificial intelligence (AI) firm Anthropic is looking to hire a chemical weapons and high-yield explosives expert to try to prevent
Business
AI firm Anthropic seeks weapons expert to stop users from

The US artificial intelligence (AI) firm Anthropic is looking to hire a chemical weapons and high-yield explosives expert to try to prevent "catastrophic misuse" of its software. In other words, it fears that its AI tools might tell someone how to make chemical or radioactive weapons

5 hours ago

If one wants to explore the many debates and controversies surrounding the Congress and its role in shaping India’s political trajectory
Politics
Inside Nishikant Dubey’s Library On Congress Tracking India’s Politics Over Decades

If one wants to explore the many debates and controversies surrounding the Congress and its role in shaping India’s political trajectory, there may soon be a new address in the capital to turn to. At 3, Safdarjung Lane, the official residence of Nishikant Dubey — the Bharatiya Janata Party MP

5 hours ago

Chelsea</b> have been handed a Premier League </b>record fine of £10.75m</b> and a suspended transfer ban.</b> It was a result of the
Sports
How Chelsea signed a star team with hidden payments

Chelsea have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban. It was a result of the club making secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018. But it could have been a lot worse

5 hours ago

<h4 class=
Latest News
Kerala Congress (M)

Kerala Congress (M), BDJS announce names of 12 candidates eachKerala Congress (M) and BDJS announced candidates for the upcoming assembly polls, including KC(M) chairman Jose K Mani from Pala and 12 others from BDJS. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:36 AM IST By Vishnu Varma

5 hours ago

Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani on Monday penned a note to Muslim countries, questioning their lack of support for Tehran as the US-Israeli war
World
Which Side Are You On

Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani on Monday penned a note to Muslim countries, questioning their lack of support for Tehran as the US-Israeli war is now entering its third week with no clear end in sight, disrupting global energy supplies and raising fears of a spike in global inflation

5 hours ago

Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi expressed strong displeasure over Dr. Asif Nazar being considered for the Lahorighat Assembly ticket, citing Nazar's alleged
Politics
Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi opposes Congress move to consider Dr Asif Nazar for Lahorighat ticket

Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi expressed strong displeasure over Dr. Asif Nazar being considered for the Lahorighat Assembly ticket, citing Nazar's alleged association with an individual charged in an attack on Bordoloi. Bordoloi wrote to AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh

5 hours ago

A sessions court in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Monday convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in connection with a 2016 case in which seven
World
Gujarat court convicts five

A sessions court in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Monday convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in connection with a 2016 case in which seven Dalits were assaulted in the town of Una, The Indian Express reported. Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya of the court in Veraval

5 hours ago

It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. But it was perhaps a night to
Life Style
Key Oscars moments as snubbed Chalamet becomes butt of jokes

It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. But it was perhaps a night to forget for Timothée Chalamet. As well as losing out to Michael B Jordan for best actor and One Battle After Another for best picture

5 hours ago

US President Donald Trump on Monday said more than 30 mine laying ships of Iran have been destroyed which has affected Tehran’s capacity to threaten
World
Trump Says US Destroyed Over 30 Iranian Mine Laying Ships In Strait Of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump on Monday said more than 30 mine laying ships of Iran have been destroyed which has affected Tehran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “We are hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with more

5 hours ago

<h4 class=
Horoscope
Love and Relationship Horoscope Today for March 17

Love Horoscope Today for March 17, 2026: A spontaneous moment could lead to a meaningful connectionLove Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:28 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link Aries: Mars is pushing you to

5 hours ago

<h4 class=
Latest News
Dubai arrests drone strike survivors after they sent blast pics to loved ones

Dubai arrests Iranian drone strike survivors after they sent explosion photos to loved ones3 foreigner nationals who survived drone strike in Dubai have been arrested after sending photos of the explosions to family members. Updated on: Mar 16

5 hours ago

<h4 class=
Technology
Firms need to move to adaptive

‘Firms need to move to adaptive, energy-efficient AI models’Sarah Hooker is convinced that the future lies in AI systems that use less computing power, cost less to run and can adapt to the needs of users. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 6:58 AM IST By Shweta Taneja Share via Copy link In the last

5 hours ago

Baghdad witnessed a significant drone and rocket attack on the U.S. embassy early Tuesday. This incident marks the most intense assault since the commencement
World
US embassy in Baghdad targeted with drones

Baghdad witnessed a significant drone and rocket attack on the U.S. embassy early Tuesday. This incident marks the most intense assault since the commencement of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Iraqi security forces have heightened their presence across the capital. The Green Zone

5 hours ago

<h4 class=
Sports
Chiefs hand a shock to Russell Wilson with Justin Fields move

Russell Wilson trade update: Chiefs hand a shock to Giants QB with Justin Fields move Published on: Mar 17, 2026 5:03 AM IST By Khushi Arora Share via Copy link New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

5 hours ago

London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial
Latest News
Chelsea fined and faces supended transfer ban by Premier League

London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial Reporting and Third Party Investment.In 2022, Chelsea FC’s current owners voluntarily reported to the League that they had evidence of

5 hours ago

A Bengaluru-based cafe has drawn attention on social media after adding a 5 per cent “Gas Crisis Charge
Latest News
Did They Boil It

A Bengaluru-based cafe has drawn attention on social media after adding a 5 per cent “Gas Crisis Charge" to a customer’s lemonade order, sparking debate on social media platform X. The unusual fee, applied on a bill for two mint lemonades, has left many users amused and some questioning its

5 hours ago

Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.<h4 class=
Latest News
Still using an older laptop

Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Still using an older laptop? These Intel 13th Gen laptops show what modern performance feels likeIntel 13th Gen laptops bring improved performance

5 hours ago

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is planning to delay a high stakes visit to China later in March by about a month because of the Iran war
Business
Trump seeks to delay meeting with Xi in China

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is planning to delay a high stakes visit to China later in March by about a month because of the Iran war. "We've requested that we delay it a month or so," he told reporters at the White House

5 hours ago

<h4 class=
Latest News
LDF ally ISJD

LDF ally ISJD, UDF ally RSP name candidates for four seats eachThe ISJD and RSP announced their candidates for Kerala Assembly polls, with ISJD's K Krishnankutty retiring from politics and RSP seeking assembly representation. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Vishnu Varma

5 hours ago

<h4 class=
Horoscope
Daily astrological prediction for March 17

Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Operational strategies at work need refinementHoroscope Today: Read the astrological predictions for each zodiac sign based on an expert's guidance on March 17, 2026. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:19 AM IST By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

5 hours ago

The report from Elara Capital said retail gasoline and diesel prices “could be fully protected through excise cuts until roughly $110/bbl
Latest News
India has tax buffer to avoid retail fuel price hike up to $110 a barrel

The report from Elara Capital said retail gasoline and diesel prices “could be fully protected through excise cuts until roughly $110/bbl, beyond which price hikes on diesel and gasoline would become inevitable”. Also Read :Fino Payments Bank Shares Fall To 52-Week Low Amid Probe Reports;

5 hours ago

<h4 class=
Latest News
Punjab Assembly session

Punjab Assembly session: House passes motion against LoP Bajwa over ‘band player’ remarkThe Punjab assembly condemned opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa for alleged derogatory remarks about a minister, leading to chaos and a walkout by Congress. Published on: Mar 17

5 hours ago

More than a thousand citizens in Ladakh's Leh and Kargil regions rallied on Monday, echoing calls for statehood and adherence to the Sixth Schedule
World
Thousands rally in Leh

More than a thousand citizens in Ladakh's Leh and Kargil regions rallied on Monday, echoing calls for statehood and adherence to the Sixth Schedule. Leaders from the Apex Body Leh alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance expressed their discontent regarding the central government's stance

5 hours ago

Menstrual pain is often dismissed as an inevitable part of being a woman. But when cramps become debilitating, interfere with daily life or are accompanied by
Life Style
Endometriosis Awareness

Menstrual pain is often dismissed as an inevitable part of being a woman. But when cramps become debilitating, interfere with daily life or are accompanied by chronic pelvic discomfort, they may signal something more serious. One such condition is endometriosis – a long-term disorder affecting

5 hours ago

<h4 class=
Entertainment
Khushbu Sundar comes out in support of Trisha amid her viral pics with Vijay

Khushbu Sundar comes out in support of Trisha amid her viral pics with Vijay: ‘She is one of the most dignified women’Khushbu Sundar has addressed the online chatter surrounding the public appearance of Vijay and Trisha Krishnan, after the divorce petition filed by Sangeeta. Mar 17, 2026

5 hours ago

<h4 class=
Sports
Rex Culpepper's fiancee pays sweet tribute after tragic death

Rex Culpepper's fiancee pays sweet tribute after tragic bike accident death: ‘I don’t regret' Published on: Mar 17, 2026 4:55 AM IST By Yash Nitish Bajaj Share via Copy link Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper died after an accident on Saturday (Instagram/Rex Culpepper) Rex Culpepper

5 hours ago


Sing Up