US says Chinese hackers targeted key government systems

The United States has revealed it disrupted a sophisticated Chinese state-sponsored hacking campaign that targeted numerous critical government institutions. The operation involved breaches or attempted breaches of sensitive computer systems belonging to key federal agencies.

According to the US Department of Justice, the targeted institutions included the Department of Justice itself, NASA, the Federal Reserve, and various Senate offices. The department announced the seizure of domain names associated with two hacking platforms, QScan and QTRouter, which were allegedly used as part of this extensive cyber espionage effort.

US authorities identified Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology Company, based in China, as the operator of these hacking platforms. The company's client list reportedly includes China's Ministry of State Security, responsible for civilian intelligence, and the People's Liberation Army. This alleged state backing highlights the significant resources and coordination behind the cyber intrusions.

Chinese officials have consistently denied any involvement in or responsibility for such hacking activities. However, US documents suggest that Chinese hackers have been employing these developed tools since at least 2018 to infiltrate critical infrastructure and other sensitive networks within the United States and globally. The ongoing cyber threats underscore the complex geopolitical landscape and the persistent challenges in cybersecurity.