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Chinese Threat: US, UK, New Zealand blame China-backed cybercriminals for disrupting vital infrastructure, parliament
The US and UK claim that cybercriminals backed by China have caused severe disruptions to essential infrastructure, affecting millions of citizens in both nations. Similarly, New Zealand is pointing fingers at China for supporting hackers who breached their Parliament's security.
U.S. and U.K. authorities have collectively leveled accusations and enforced penalties against China, accusing it of being implicated in an extensive cyber spying campaign aimed at numerous individuals and organizations globally. The hacking collective, known as Advanced Persistent Threat 31 (APT31), is allegedly connected to China’s State Security Ministry.
In a connected event, New Zealand has blamed a harmful cyber assault in 2021 on Chinese hackers backed by their government. Judith Collins, the Minister of Security Services, highlighted the importance of protecting confidential government data from cyber attacks.
Cyberattacks were reportedly aimed at individuals such as legislators, scholars, reporters, and government representatives who oppose Beijing. They also targeted defense contractors and diverse firms in industries like steel, energy, and clothing. Furthermore, it is said that the partners of top U.S. officials and lawmakers were also among the victims.
Deputy US Attorney General Lisa Monaco states that the main goals of the cyber attack were to suppress opposition to the Chinese government, invade governmental organizations, and pilfer commercial secrets. Legal charges have been revealed against seven suspected hackers from China by the US prosecutors. These individuals are accused of breaching millions of work accounts, personal emails, digital storage, and phone call records belonging to Americans.
In the meantime, UK authorities have alleged that APT31, a group linked to China, has been attacking British politicians who are outspoken against China. Additionally, they blame a different group of Chinese espionage agents for a cyber attack on Britain's election monitoring body, resulting in the breach of data of millions of UK citizens.
Chinese representatives in the US and UK have rejected the accusations, deeming them baseless and harmful. Regardless, both nations have enforced penalties on a business suspected to be linked with China's Ministry of State Security, alleging it to be a cover for the hacking operations.
The US Treasury Department declared penalties on Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology, as well as two individuals from China, as a reaction to their involvement in cyber spying activities. The FBI's chief, Christopher Wray, criticized China's activities, describing them as audacious efforts to weaken US cybersecurity and threaten American interests and innovation.
The fresh allegations have emerged during growing conflicts between Beijing and Western countries regarding concerns of cyber spying. Western spy agencies have openly claimed that the Chinese government is involved in hacking activities. However, China has made similar accusations against entities in the West.
The charges brought forward by US legal authorities underscored a few significant objectives, encompassing a US presidential campaign in 2020 and a US public sentiment analysis agency during the 2018 midterm elections. John Hultquist, the lead analyst for the cybersecurity intelligence company Mandiant, emphasized the importance of political groups as sources for gathering geopolitical information.
Accusations and counter-claims persistently emerge, making the worldwide cybersecurity environment persistently complicated. Both governments and cybersecurity specialists stress the essential requirement for strong protections against digital dangers.
(Incorporating information from various sources)
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