CIA: WikiLeaks actions 'malicious'

After WikiLeaks published documents that allegedly came from US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director John Brennan's personal e-mail account on October 21, the CIA accused the organization of "malicious intent."

The six files released so far did not include top-secret documents, but WikiLeaks said Brennan had "used the account occasionally for several intelligence-related projects."

The CIA concurred that there was no indication to date that classified information had been released. However, the leak is an embarrassment for US intelligence. WikiLeaks said more files could be expected in the near future.

One of the most significant documents published is a draft of Brennan's background check questionnaire from a security clearance application he apparently made in 2008.

It lists several personal friends and colleagues, his work history and other details.

The names and phone numbers listed include those of George Tenet, CIA director from 1996 to 2004. A woman who answered a call to the number said Tenet declined to comment publicly.

There is also a 2008 letter from Christopher "Kit" Bond, at the time the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence vice chairman, in which he called for the banning of "harsh interrogation techniques."

There is also a 2007 draft memo on Iran that Brennan wrote, and a draft paper from July of that year describing challenges faced by the US intelligence community.

The CIA condemned WikiLeaks' actions harshly.

"The hacking of the Brennan family account is a crime and the Brennan family is the victim," it stated.

"The private electronic holdings of the Brennan family were plundered with malicious intent and are now being distributed across the web.

"This attack is something that could happen to anyone and should be condemned, not promoted."

The US government has been plagued by high-profile leaks in recent years, including leaks of diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks.

This latest data compromise comes days after reports that a hacker accessed Brennan's America On Line (AOL) account illegally and took messages and personal data.

The low-tech method the hacker apparently employed to access the account is shockingly simple.

He claimed he was able to get into the account using "social engineering," in which he tricked Verizon workers into divulging Brennan's personal information and convinced AOL to reset his password.

Earlier this week, The New York Post reported that a hacker claiming to be an American high-school student contacted media with details of his actions.

Using a Twitter account -- @phphax -- the hacker defiantly showed images of what appeared to be partially redacted government information. The account claims the hacker is 13 years old and supports the Palestinian cause.

Hackers recently breached US government databases and accessed personal background check information of 21.5 million people.

In addition to these recent violations of database security, several high-level officials have been taken to task for not protecting sensitive documents.

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has been heavily criticized after she admitted she only used a private e-mail server while she was Secretary of State.

Former CIA head David Petraeus pleaded guilty to improper handling of sensitive documents once it came to light that he allowed his mistress/biographer access to his Afghan war journals.