This is your China Hack Report: Daily US Tech Defense podcast.
Hey there, I'm Ting, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the latest China-linked cyber activities affecting US interests. Let's dive right in.
In the past 24 hours, we've seen some major developments. The US Treasury Department just sanctioned Chinese firm Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology Co. and Shanghai-based hacker Yin Kecheng for their roles in the sweeping Salt Typhoon telecom hacks[1]. These hacks intercepted communications of high-value political officials and compromised the wiretap request platforms of major communications operators. At least nine US telecom companies were ensnared, and the hacking unit also burrowed into the telecommunications systems of dozens of other providers around the world.
But that's not all. The Treasury Department itself was hacked in December, with Chinese hackers using a problem in third-party software to gain access to sensitive systems, including those involved in sanctioning and assets control, as well as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US[2][4]. Outgoing Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's computer was even accessed in those hacks.
Now, let's talk about the bigger picture. China's state-sponsored cyberattacks are escalating, and they're targeting critical infrastructure, including water treatment plants, the electrical grid, and transportation systems[3]. The Chinese Communist Party is using hybrid tactics to undermine its strategic competitors, and the US is a prime target.
So, what can we do to defend ourselves? The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends immediate defensive actions, including patching vulnerabilities and monitoring for suspicious activity. We need to vet our third-party vendors and make sure our systems are secure.
In the words of Francesca Lockhart, the cybersecurity clinic program lead at the Strauss Center for International Security and Law, "This is really just a classic intelligence gathering hack, it seems, where China is after some of this sensitive information." We need to stay vigilant and take proactive steps to protect our critical infrastructure.
That's the latest from the world of China-linked cyber activities. Stay safe, and stay informed.
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