The US government has taken decisive action against Chinese hackers believed to be working for China’s government intelligence agency, targeting critical infrastructure.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has announced sanctions against Wuhan Xiaoruizhi Science and Technology Company Ltd, described as a front for the Chinese Ministry of State Security.
According to the US Attorney General, Merrick Garland, this move exposes “the ends to which the Chinese government is willing to go to target and intimidate its critics.”
In a statement, the Treasury office highlighted the involvement of two Chinese nationals, Zhao Guangzong and Ni Gaobin, associated with the Wuhan company, in cyber operations targeting sectors such as defense, aerospace, and energy in the US.
These activities were attributed to the cyber hacking group APT 31, a state-sponsored entity involved in cyber intrusions and wire fraud.
Regarding the indictment by the US Department of Justice, Zhao, Ni, and five other hackers were charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and wire fraud, reflecting a 14-year-long cyber operation targeting US and foreign critics, businesses, and political officials.
Matthew G Olsen, the assistant attorney general, emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant against cybersecurity threats, particularly with the 2024 election cycle approaching.
The hacking campaign involved sending over 10,000 malicious emails containing hidden tracking links to access information about targets, including government officials critical of China’s policies.
Similarly, the UK government has imposed sanctions on the same Chinese state-backed hackers, alleging cyber espionage targeting democratic institutions and election agencies.
This action follows a breach that may have compromised information on millions of UK voters held by the Electoral Commission.
While the hack did not impact electoral processes or individual rights, the breach raises concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Although British authorities did not disclose specific names, they indicated that the sanctioned individuals were associated with APT 31, also known as Zirconium or Hurricane Panda, a group previously accused of targeting US presidential campaigns and the information systems of Finland’s parliament.
Law Enforcement Raids Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s Properties In LA And Miami