Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iran: Fars News Agency: A woman and her 6-year-old son were killed in an Israeli drone attack on Kermanshah Province
Iran: IRNA: Attack Wave 21 was not carried out, and the operation carried out minutes ago was from Yemen against targets in the occupied territories
Sirens are sounding in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas
Israeli military command: We identified missiles launched from Iran
Tunis: The legitimacy created by World War II is crumbling and the future belongs to free peoples of the world
Tunis: We emphasize that the aggression against Iran should not obscure other ongoing crimes, the first of which is the war of extermination against the Palestinian people
Tunis: International legitimacy does not permit or justify aggression against Iran under any cover or title
Tunisia: Foreign Ministry: We call for an end to the aggression against our sister country, Iran, and we do not limit ourselves to condemning the Zionist and American attacks
Iran: Nur News: An Israeli aerial assault is targeting the region of Parchin, east Tehran
Iran: Iranian TV: Iranian air defenses shot down an Israeli Hermes 900 drone over Markazi Province, central Iran

US critical infrastructure hacked, US blames Chinese-backed group

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 25 May 2023 11:53
4 Min Read

Microsoft alleged on Wednesday that a Chinese state-sponsored hacking gang acquired access to critical infrastructure organizations in Guam and other parts of the United States.

  • x
  • The front entrance sign for Anderson Air Force base is seen in Yigo, Guam on Thursday morning, Aug. 10, 2017. (AP)
    The front entrance sign for Anderson Air Force base is seen in Yigo, Guam on Thursday morning, Aug. 10, 2017. (AP)

The US and its cybersecurity allies are blaming a Chinese government-backed hacking outfit for eavesdropping on important US infrastructure companies, including one on the island territory of Guam, which houses strategic military sites.

Separate reports on Wednesday from Microsoft and Western intelligence agencies stated that hackers were able to introduce computer programs that blended into Microsoft Windows computers and elude detection while keeping access and gathering information.

Microsoft claimed in a separate statement that the intrusion was carried out by a state-sponsored Chinese hacking suit known as "Volt Typhoon."

The gang targeted corporations ranging from telecommunications to transportation centers, as well as Western intelligence agencies and Microsoft itself, as well as the US island territory of Guam, according to the report.

Home to US military facilities, Guam is a major communications hub connecting Asia and Australia to the United States by multiple submarine cables.

“Microsoft assesses with moderate confidence that this Volt Typhoon campaign is pursuing the development of capabilities that could disrupt critical communications infrastructure between the United States and Asia region during future crises,” the tech company said. It further added that “observed behavior suggests that the threat actor intends to perform espionage and maintain access without being detected for as long as possible.”

Read next: China cyber units may bypass US network defenses in 5 years: WaPo

Microsoft experts expressed "moderate confidence" that this group was developing skills capable of disrupting crucial communications infrastructure between the United States and Asia in the event of a future crisis. "It means they are preparing for that possibility," John Hultquist, who heads threat analysis at Google's Mandiant Intelligence noted.

Related News

Trump pushes Iran regime change rhetoric, administration contradicts

Russia, China, and Pakistan call for ceasefire amid US attacks on Iran

The Chinese action is unique because experts do not yet have a clear picture of what this group is capable of, according to Hultquist. "There is greater interest in this actor because of the geopolitical situation,” he noted.

Security specialists have warned that if China makes a move on Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), hackers may target US military networks and other key infrastructure. It was unclear how many organizations were affected or what information had been obtained.

The cyberattack strategy is known as "living off the land," and it involves hackers exploiting "built-in network tools to evade our defenses while leaving no trace behind," according to Rob Joyce, NSA cybersecurity director.

Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand warned they could be targeted by the hackers too.

Read next: China says banning Micron products is 'necessary security measure'

However, Canada's cybersecurity agency indicated separately that no Canadian victims of the incident had been identified as of yet. "However, Western economies are deeply interconnected," according to the research. Similarly, the United Kingdom warned that the techniques used by Chinese hackers on US networks may be used globally. The Chinese government has yet to respond to the allegations.

Meanwhile, China has already branded the US as the “biggest threat to global cybersecurity,” saying that Washington “knowingly abuses technology” for spying and a range of other purposes.

The United States is seeking to preserve “hegemony in cyberspace” under the false pretext of “national security,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters back in April, urging the US to “stop its global hacking operations.”

The rivalry between the US and China has intensified in recent years, with Beijing’s growing international clout and rapid economic progress emerging as a viable counterweight to the US, which has recently been increasing its militarization around China, making Beijing feel threatened.

Read next: US Department of Transportation says cyber attack still unidentified

  • United States
  • Cybersecurity
  • China
  • Cyber Attack
  • Hacking

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, speaks with then-Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis in a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, January 17, 2017 (AP)
Politics

Iran holds the initiative after nuclear strikes, Shamkhani says

Blood stains a religious painting inside Mar Elias Church, where a suicide bomber detonated himself in al-Dwela, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, June 22, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN, regional governments condemn Damascus church bombing

A B-2 bomber arrives at Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri, Sunday, June 22, 2025, after returning from a massive strike on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday (AP)
Politics

Israeli media: US-Israeli strike on Iran failed to end war

China UN Ambassador Fu Cong addresses the United Nations Security Council, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Politics

China slam US strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS