Chinese hacker attack affects US surveillance systems

Hackers linked to the Chinese regime were able to invade the networks of Internet providers in the United States. The Wall Street Journal.

The attack by the group, known as Salt Typhoon, allowed access to infrastructure used to monitor communications, posing a serious risk to national security, as well as access to other areas of Internet traffic. The seriousness of the attack is under investigation.

The companies involved in the breach, including Verizon, AT&T and Lumen Technologies, declined to comment on the incident. According to the US newspaper, although companies are obliged to report cyber attacks quickly, there may have been an exception for national security reasons in this case.

China hacker invasion classified as ‘historically significant’

US investigators and private security firms continue to assess the scale of the attack and the impact of the stolen data. In addition to U.S. providers, there are indications that a small number of suppliers outside the U.S. were also targeted, according to a report. The Wall Street Journal. The U.S. government considers the raid to be of historical significance and the potential collection of critical information.

For years, U.S. officials have warned of China’s multifaceted espionage activities, which include not only cyberattacks but also investments in human intelligence and strategic enterprises. In recent times, Chinese efforts have focused on compromising critical infrastructure such as power grids and water facilities.

The Chinese government has denied any connection to the hacker group

The Salt Typhoon team, operating since 2020, focuses on espionage and data theft, with network traffic capture as one of its specialties. It is associated with attacks in both North America and Southeast Asia and is known by many names among cyber security companies. According to experts, its actions are seen as part of China’s expansion in the field of cyber warfare.

Microsoft and other security companies are cooperating in the investigation of the attack and analyzing what information may have been accessed. China’s government denies involvement in such intrusions, reiterating its opposition to cyber attacks. However, experts warn that the severity of the attack should serve as a warning to governments and companies around the world.