At a Glance:
The US seized domains linked to Chinese hacking platforms QScan and QTRouter
Victims include the Justice Department, NASA, Federal Reserve, Senate, and Energy Department
The hacking campaign has been active since at least 2018
A China-based firm, Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology, allegedly ran the operation
The hackers targeted US infrastructure, defense contractors, and financial institutions
The Justice Department just dropped a bombshell: Chinese state-backed hackers have been inside some of America's most sensitive networks for years.
Washington officially disrupted a Chinese hacking operation on Wednesday that had breached the Justice Department, NASA, the Federal Reserve, and even the Senate. The Justice Department seized domains tied to two hacking tools - QScan and QTRouter - that were behind the attacks.
An FBI affidavit names the Energy Department, Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, and four US and South Korean companies as victims. The hackers went after critical infrastructure and sensitive networks globally since 2018.
Some attempts failed. In August 2019, they tried breaching NASA through a VPN flaw but couldn't get in. By September 2024, they succeeded at three Energy Department labs, the NIH, and a US security device maker.
In May 2024, they stole data from defense contractors, financial firms, and universities. Just last month, they scanned for weaknesses at the US Senate and a hospital, though those attempts also failed.
The Justice Department says a Chinese firm called Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology ran the platforms, with clients including China's intelligence agency and its military. The company didn't respond to requests for comment.
China's embassy pushed back, saying it opposes cyberattacks and accusing the US of using cybersecurity to smear China.
Why this matters for traders
Government and defense sector stocks could see volatility as investors weigh the implications of these breaches. Any talk of retaliation or stricter sanctions against Chinese tech firms may ripple through markets.
All eyes are on how Beijing responds and whether the US imposes new penalties on Chinese companies linked to the operation.
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Source: Reuters
Time: 11:00 AM EEST
