France Accuses US of Hacking Former President’s Computers Using Flame Malware

In May, right before the second round of the French presidential elections, the computer networks from Elysee Palace, the president’s residence, were hacked. French authorities claim that the attack was carried out by the US, utilizing a piece of malware with functions very similar to the ones of Flame.

According to French publication L’Express, the details of the attackers or the damage they’ve caused haven’t been made public.

However, the computers of several advisers of the former president, Nicolas Sarkozy, were compromised. The attackers could have retrieved secret notes and strategic plans.

A French official revealed that the reason behind the attack might have been that the US wanted to ensure the ally country’s “continued support.”

In an interview with the same publication, US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that France was one of their “greatest” allies and partners, but she did not attempt to deny the accusations.

Furthermore, she claimed that the Flame and Stuxnet viruses had never been linked to the US government.