China Raises Alarm on Foreign Cyber Espionage

The Chinese authorities have expressed concern over the intensification of activities by foreign cyber spies targeting the country’s critical industries and companies. China has warned of a grave threat to national information and network security due to data breaches caused by targeted hacker attacks.

It has been noted that overseas malefactors are actively exploring networks for unpatched vulnerabilities to penetrate systems and seize crucial information. One cited example involves a company engaged in military-civil integration, where hackers managed to implant malware and steal data on production and clients due to outdated software updates. This attack inflicted serious damage on the development of military equipment and technologies, jeopardizing the country’s military and technological security.

In another instance, a major state-owned enterprise fell victim to cybercriminals who utilized network equipment left connected after testing to access the system and steal pivotal data, affecting the well-being of the Chinese population.

The ministry also highlighted the vulnerability of software suppliers and IT personnel with administrative rights. In one case, foreign spies attacked the computer of an email operator who had the habit of recording passwords on the computer, enabling the perpetrators to gain access to the internal correspondence of thousands of system operators associated with key facilities.

The ministry had previously warned of attempts by foreign intelligence disguised as software developers to implant malware to extract data from the realms of national defense and high-tech enterprises.