Red Alert: China's Daily Cyber Moves

China's Cyber Shenanigans: Is Your Router Safe from Salt Typhoon?


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This is your Red Alert: China's Daily Cyber Moves podcast.

Hey there, I'm Ting, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on China's latest cyber moves against US targets. Buckle up, folks, because this is getting serious.

Just a few days ago, on January 10, 2025, the Soufan Center reported that China strategically infiltrated US critical infrastructure with a series of state-sponsored cyberattacks[4]. These attacks targeted government officials, critical infrastructure, and even the US Treasury Department. Yes, you heard that right - the Treasury Department. The goal? To disrupt military supply lines and hinder an effective US response in case of a potential conflict with China, especially over Taiwan.

Now, let's talk about the timeline of events. Back in February 2024, CISA, NSA, and FBI assessed that PRC state-sponsored cyber actors were pre-positioning themselves on IT networks for disruptive or destructive cyberattacks against US critical infrastructure[5]. Fast forward to October 2024, the FBI and CISA issued a joint statement on PRC activity targeting telecommunications, warning of unauthorized access to commercial telecommunications infrastructure[2].

But here's the thing - these attacks aren't just about stealing data; they're about testing access to systems and seeing whether vulnerabilities get patched. It's like a cyber weapons test, folks. And the targets? Critical infrastructure in Guam and the West Coast, which would play a crucial role in the US response to a potential conflict over Taiwan.

Just last month, in December 2024, a Chinese state-backed hacker group known as Volt Typhoon gained control of hundreds of internet routers in the US to be used as launch pads for attacks on critical infrastructure systems. And let's not forget Salt Typhoon, another Chinese state-backed hacker group that targeted data from numerous US officials, including phones used by Donald Trump and his running mate.

So, what's the takeaway? China's cyber activities against US targets are escalating, and it's time to take action. CISA and FBI are urging organizations to strengthen their cyber defenses and report any suspicious activity. It's time to go on high alert, folks.

In the words of Rob Joyce, former cybersecurity director at the NSA, these hacks serve "so that they can disrupt our ability to support military activities or to distract us, to get us to focus on a domestic incident at a time when something is flaring up in a different part of the world." It's time to take China's cyber threats seriously and get ready for a potential showdown. Stay vigilant, everyone.

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Red Alert: China's Daily Cyber MovesBy Quiet. Please