FBI Shuts Down E-Mail System

The FBI Friday shut down its e-mail system, which is run by a private company, after it had discovered a possible hacking attempt. If the system was indeed compromised, it could pose a potential security problem due to the sensitive nature of some e-mails. However, officials said the possibility of an actual security breach was low.

"We use these accounts to communicate with you folks, view Internet sites, and conduct other non-sensitive bureau business such as sending out press releases," Special Agent Steve Lazarus, the FBI's media coordinator in Atlanta, said in an e-mail describing the problem. Mail sent through the system for case files was on another server and remained unaffected, officials said.