The FBI has announced that Chinese state-sponsored hackers are stepping up efforts to damage power grids, transportation systems, and oil pipelines.
U.S. officials say they have dismantled a Chinese-backed hacking operation that targeted civilian infrastructure, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned that the two superpowers could be at war if the two superpowers go to war. Warns about future threats.
Bolt Typhoon, a Chinese state-backed hacker group, allegedly attempted to damage public sector facilities such as water treatment plants, power grids, oil and gas pipelines, and transportation systems at the behest of China. be done.
FBI Director Christopher Wray addressed the House Select Committee on the Communist Party of China on Wednesday, warning that the Chinese government is in a position to disrupt the daily lives of Americans if the U.S. and China go to war.
He said there has been too little public attention to cyber threats that affect “all Americans.”
“Chinese hackers are positioning themselves on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause real-world damage to American citizens and communities should China decide the time is right for an attack,” Wray said. added.
malware
Chinese hackers took over a botnet of hundreds of small office and home routers owned by private citizens and companies in the United States, the FBI said, in an effort to cover their tracks with malware.
Routers became easy targets because they were no longer supported by manufacturers’ security patches and software updates. This is just one of the techniques hackers used to obfuscate their activities.
Hackers were also infiltrating targets through other channels, such as the cloud and internet providers, under the guise of normal traffic.
The lauded targets included water treatment plants, power grids, and transportation systems across the United States.
FBI and Justice Department officials succeeded in thwarting at least part of Operation Bolt Typhoon in December after obtaining a search and seizure order in federal court in Houston, Texas.
potential threat
In recent years, the United States has become more aggressive in its efforts to disrupt and dismantle criminal and state-sponsored cyber operations.
Jen Easterly, director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said it could affect all Americans, cause “public panic and chaos” and hinder the nation’s ability to “maintain public order.” He said there was less focus on possible cyber threats. “Adequate response in times of crisis.”
Lei said hackers backed by the Chinese government aim to steal trade secrets to develop China’s economy and steal personal information for activities that increase foreign influence. he warned.
“They’re doing all that stuff. They’re all passionate about the goal of eventually replacing the United States as the world’s biggest superpower,” he said.
Cybersecurity companies including Microsoft already warned in May that state-backed Chinese hackers were targeting critical infrastructure in preparation for future crises.