The hackers functioned as what one senior FBI official described as “cyber mercenaries,” exploiting vulnerable systems and extracting sensitive data that was subsequently sold to Chinese government security services. The indictments mark a significant escalation in Washington’s efforts to counter what officials describe as China’s increasingly aggressive cyber operations against U.S. national security interests. Federal prosecutors detailed how ten alleged hackers-for-hire, along with two Chinese government officials, operated within a complex web of state-sponsored cyber activities. Despite these denials, U.S. authorities maintain that the evidence points to a deliberate, state-sponsored intelligence-gathering campaign designed to advance Chinese interests at the expense of American national security. Cyber Security News is a Dedicated News Platform For Cyber News, Cyber Attack News, Hacking News & Vulnerability Analysis. The Chinese Embassy in Washington promptly condemned the indictments and associated sanctions, urging the U.S. to refrain from using cybersecurity issues as a pretext to “defame” China. Kaaviya is a Security Editor and fellow reporter with Cyber Security News. According to the indictment, the DOJ disclosed that Zhou had been collecting data on border crossings, telecommunications, and individuals employed in the media, civil service, and religion studies for the previous five years under a stringent set of guidelines provided by the MSS. “Today, we are exposing the Chinese government agents directing and fostering indiscriminate and reckless attacks against computers and networks worldwide,” stated Sue J.
This Cyber News was published on cybersecuritynews.com. Publication date: Thu, 13 Mar 2025 06:25:07 +0000