USA indicts Chinese hackers for data theft and cyber-espionage | DW News

Summary

US authorities have accused hackers of targeting managed service providers (MSPs), stealing sensitive data from leading corporations as part of a Chinese campaign named 'cloudhopper'. MSPs, entrusted with storing and protecting commercial data, were infiltrated multiple times. Over 90% of economic espionage cases in the past seven years involve China, with over two-thirds related to trade secret thefts. China has denied the allegations, calling them slanderous and demanding the US withdraw charges against two Chinese individuals.

Takeaways

• 🚨 Hackers targeted leading global corporations and breached technology companies' networks.
• 💻 The hackers specifically targeted companies that manage servers, storage, and other computing tasks remotely.
• 🔐 Stolen secrets belonged to the clients of these technology companies, which included sensitive business data.
• 🔎 The defendants are accused of compromising Managed Service Providers (MSPs), which handle commercial data and intellectual property.
• 🛡️ Breaching MSPs allows hackers to steal confidential business information, giving competitors an unfair advantage.
• 🌐 The hacking campaign, known as 'cloudhopper,' was allegedly orchestrated on behalf of China's intelligence service.
• 📅 The attacks infiltrated MSP networks repeatedly, with breaches lasting for extended periods, sometimes weeks or months.
• 📈 This case is part of a larger trend of state-sponsored hacking targeting US networks.
• 🇨🇳 More than 90% of US cases related to economic espionage over the last seven years involve China.
• 📉 The US-China relationship, already strained due to trade disputes, may worsen because of these hacking allegations.

Q & A

What types of companies were targeted by the hackers?

The hackers targeted technology companies that remotely manage servers, storage, and other computing tasks for clients.

Why is this hacking case considered significant?

The case is significant because the hackers targeted managed service providers (MSPs), which are trusted to store and protect sensitive business data, giving the attackers access to confidential business information.

What kind of information did the hackers allegedly steal?

The hackers allegedly stole sensitive business information, including intellectual property and other confidential business data.

What is a Managed Service Provider (MSP), and why were they targeted?

An MSP is a firm that manages and protects commercial data for its clients. The hackers targeted MSPs to gain access to their clients' sensitive business information.

How long did the breaches of the MSP networks last?

The breaches lasted for weeks and months, with multiple infiltrations of the MSP networks.

Who are the defendants accused of working for?

The defendants are accused of working on behalf of China's intelligence service.

What was the name of the alleged Chinese campaign involved in these attacks?

The campaign is known as 'cloudhopper,' which allegedly involved Chinese state-sponsored hackers.

What has the US Department of Justice revealed about state-sponsored hacking trends?

The deputy attorney general noted a trend of state-sponsored hackers, primarily from China, breaking into US networks.

What percentage of US cases involving economic espionage are connected to China?

More than 90 percent of the US Department of Justice's cases alleging economic espionage over the past seven years involve China.

How has China responded to the US allegations of industrial espionage?

China has rejected the US allegations, calling them slanderous, and has demanded the withdrawal of charges against two alleged Chinese hackers.