Chinese state-sponsored hackers have carried out numerous cyberattacks on vital American infrastructure in recent years, with the aim of equipping the country with the capability to deliver a crippling blow to the United States, as revealed by FBI Director Christopher Wray.
During a security conference in Nashville, the speaker emphasized that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) consistently targets our critical infrastructure. He described China’s hacking program as not only persistent but also gaining strength.
“It harnesses its vast numbers to gain the power to cause significant damage to our critical infrastructure whenever it pleases,” he elaborated.
In the previous year, Microsoft security analysts made a significant finding when they discovered enigmatic code that was associated with the communications systems in Guam. Guam, which is a US territory located in the Pacific, houses a strategically important air base.
Officials suspect that the code was created by Volt Typhoon, a hacking group sponsored by the Chinese government.
Volt Typhoon, as per intelligence experts, aimed to exploit weaknesses in electric grids, shipping ports, and water infrastructure, along with other systems.
In January, the FBI announced that it had successfully eliminated hacking activities from hundreds of devices.
Over the past few months, security officials have been actively alerting the public about the dangers of Volt Typhoon and diligently working to uncover any remaining traces of its harmful code.
In March, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a warning about a hacking group that aims to disrupt or destroy critical services in the event of heightened geopolitical tensions or military conflict with the United States and its allies.
According to Rob Joyce, the outgoing director of the NSA’s Cybersecurity Directorate, federal agencies are continuing their efforts to uncover and eradicate the work of the group.
China denies any involvement in supporting cyberattacks against the United States. Moreover, China has accused the United States and its allies of conducting cyberattacks themselves.
According to Lin Jian of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the recent actions taken by the US and the UK to highlight cyberattacks by China and impose sanctions on Chinese individuals and entities are nothing more than political tactics. He urges both countries to refrain from politicizing cybersecurity matters, smearing China, and imposing sanctions, as well as putting an end to their own cyber aggression against China.
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