News

China accuses US of tens of thousands of cyberattacks

September 5, 2022 01:44 PM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

Beijing on Monday accused the United States of launching "tens of thousands" of cyberattacks on China and pilfering troves of sensitive data, including from a public research university.

Washington has accused Beijing of cyberattacks against US businesses and government agencies, one of the issues over which ties between the two powers have nosedived in recent years.

China has consistently denied the claims and in turn lashed out against alleged US cyber espionage, but has rarely made public disclosures of specific attacks.

But a report released Monday by its National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center (CVERC) accused the US National Security Agency (NSA) of carrying out "tens of thousands of malicious attacks on network targets in China in recent years".

It specifically accused the NSA's Office of Tailored Access Operations (TAO) of infiltrating the Northwestern Polytechnical University in the city of Xi'an.

The university is funded by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and specialises in aeronautical and space research.

CVERC alleged that TAO infiltrated the university's networks and took "control of tens of thousands of network devices" including servers, routers and network switches.

Using dozens of cyber weapons and exploiting previously unknown flaws in the SunOS operating system, the unit gained access to "core technical data" including passwords and the operations of key network devices, the report said.

TAO has "stolen over 140 gigabytes of high-value data" in recent years and received assistance from groups in Europe and South Asia, CVERC said in the report, which was co-authored by the private Chinese cybersecurity firm Qihoo 360.

The NSA did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

In June, Xi'an authorities said they had launched an investigation into a reported cyberattack at the university that carried the hallmarks of "overseas hacking groups and unlawful elements".

The attacks "caused significant risks and hidden dangers for normal work and life at our school", a university cybersecurity official told state broadcaster CCTV in comments published on Monday.

Last year, Washington accused Beijing of carrying out a massive attack on Microsoft's email software that affected at least 30,000 US organisations -- including local governments -- as well as customers in other countries.

China denied the allegations and countered that Washington was the "world champion" of cyber espionage.



Most Read

  1. Public Holiday announced in Lahore tomorrow Public Holiday announced in Lahore tomorrow
  2. Nazish Jahangir to hit any marriage proposal from Babar Azam out of the ground Nazish Jahangir to hit any marriage proposal from Babar Azam out of the ground
  3. Iranian First Lady visits Numl Iranian First Lady visits Numl
  4. Madiha Rizvi ties the knot again Madiha Rizvi ties the knot again
  5. Pakistan, Iran sign raft of accords to bolster bilateral cooperation Pakistan, Iran sign raft of accords to bolster bilateral cooperation
  6. Two patients die, injuries of 12 others multiplied after roof collapse at Gujrat hospital Two patients die, injuries of 12 others multiplied after roof collapse at Gujrat hospital

Opinion

  1. Islamabad becoming the hub of international diplomacy
    Islamabad becoming the hub of international diplomacy

    By Salim Bokhari

  2. Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph
    Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph

    By Zulfiqar Ali Mir

  3. IMEC to sabotage CPEC
    IMEC to sabotage CPEC

    By Dr Asif Channer

  4. 1947 TO FORM 47
    1947 TO FORM 47

    By Dr Asif Channer

  5. Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....
    Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....

    By Ali Ramay

  6. Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses
    Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses

    By Ali Ramay