The FBI has successfully thwarted a cyber-attack campaign by a Chinese state-backed hacker group named “Volt Typhoon,” which targeted crucial US infrastructure, including the power grid and pipelines. According to FBI Director Christopher Wray, the group infiltrated hundreds of outdated office routers to gather data on American assets, as reported by the BBC.
During a recent congressional committee meeting, Wray revealed that the hackers aimed to lay the groundwork for potentially crippling US infrastructure in case of a conflict. This operation, first identified by Microsoft last May, involved attacks on a wide range of critical systems, from water treatment facilities and transportation networks to telecommunication services.
Wray emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the “Volt Typhoon” malware allowed the hackers to conduct reconnaissance and compromise network security, posing a significant threat to public safety and national security. The hackers’ preparation indicated an intention to “wreak chaos and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities,” he added.
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The committee hearing highlighted the severity of these cyber threats, likening them to “placing bombs on American bridges and power plants.” Despite these allegations, the Chinese government has historically denied any involvement in state-sponsored cyber-attacks, often accusing the US of similar actions. Beijing has yet to respond to these latest accusations.
Wray also pointed out the vast scale of China‘s cyber warfare capabilities, suggesting that it surpasses that of all other major nations combined. He noted the disparity between the FBI’s cyber agents and their Chinese counterparts, with the latter outnumbering the former by 50 to 1, underscoring the challenges faced by the US in safeguarding its digital infrastructure.
This revelation comes amid growing concerns over cybersecurity and the protection of critical infrastructure against foreign interference, highlighting the ongoing tension and competition in cyberspace between the US and China.
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