THE GREAT BREACH: Chinese hackers repeatedly penetrated The New York Times' computer systems over the past four months, stealing reporters' passwords and hunting for files on an investigation into the wealth amassed by the family of a top Chinese leader, the newspaper reported Thursday.

THE CHINA LINK: Security experts hired to investigate and plug the breach found that the attacks used tactics similar to ones used in previous hacking incidents traced to China.

THE CONTROVERSIAL STORY: The newspaper's investigation into how relatives of Premier Wen Jiabao built a fortune worth over $2 billion, posted Oct. 25, embarrassed the Communist Party leadership.