The US government says it disrupts a China-linked hacking operation that breaches, and in some cases attempts to access, multiple US government and critical infrastructure targets. The US Justice Department and FBI say they disrupted online infrastructure allegedly tied to state-sponsored hackers, including two platforms used to conduct intrusions.
Reporting from several outlets identifies victims including the US Justice Department, NASA, the Federal Reserve, the US Senate, and other agencies such as the Departments of Energy and Health and Human Services. Some coverage also describes the operation as relying on a botnet to obscure hacking traffic.
Outlets also differ slightly on emphasis and phrasing. Some focus on the disruption of global infrastructure and mention seizure of internet domains associated with the two hacking platforms. Others highlight that the platforms are linked to a China-based firm whose clients include organizations described by the US as connected to China’s civilian intelligence and military. Additional detail in one report says the tools used have been employed since at least 2018.
