The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed that it has been targeted by a sophisticated cyber attack, which aimed to steal information.
Officials said the attack that is believed to have taken place several months ago had been "a very major breach" of its network security. Cyber security officials said the attack was designed to collect sensitive information by installing a software to have a "digital insider presence".
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the attack.
IMF spokesman David Hawley said the organisation is fully functional but declined to give further details.
"I can confirm that we are investigating an incident," said Hawley.
"I am not in a position to elaborate further on the extent of the cyber security incident."
Earlier this month, online hacktivist group Anonymous had declared war with the IMF after the international body imposed strict austerity measures for the economic bailout of Greece.
The group had named the attack as ‘Operation Greece’.
The IMF had said it was aware of the threat and that it is prepared.
IMF spokesman Bill Murray had said, "We are aware of the threat, and have taken appropriate action."
