Chinese hackers compromised US communications with allies in the Pacific
Microsoft cybersecurity has detected a Chinese-backed attack on US communications infrastructure. The attack primarily targeted the US territory of Guam, an island in the Pacific Ocean that is central to a possible US response to Chinese aggression against Taiwan.
Microsoft published its analysis of the attack on its security blog earlier this week, identifying the culprits as Volt Typhoon, a state-sponsored hacking group in China.
Attempting to untangle Volt Typhoon’s purpose, Microsoft said it believed the purpose was to disrupt US communications to the Pacific Rim.
“Microsoft assesses with moderate confidence that this Volt Typhoon campaign continues the development of capabilities that could disrupt critical communications infrastructure between the United States and the Asia region in future crises,” the company wrote.
“The organizations involved span communications, manufacturing, utilities, transportation, construction, maritime, government, information technology and education. The observed behavior suggests that the threat actor intends to eavesdrop and maintain access undetected for as long as possible.
In a joint bulletin, ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence-sharing community agencies from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand advised companies on how to respond to attack.
The Chinese government, meanwhile, denies any involvement. In a statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning accused the Five Eyes nations of spreading “disinformation”.
“It is well known that the Five Eyes (an intelligence alliance between the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) is the largest intelligence association in the world and the NSA the largest hacking group in the world,” Ning said. “It’s ironic that the Five Eyes jointly released a report filled with misinformation.”
“This is a collective disinformation campaign launched by the United States through the Five Eyes to serve its geopolitical agenda.”
Allum Bokhari is Breitbart News’ Senior Technology Correspondent. He is the author of #DELETED: Big Tech’s Battle to Erase the Trump Movement and Steal The Election.
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