Chinese Hackers Breach U.S. Telecom Networks, Compromising Court Wiretap Systems: Report
Chinese hackers breached U.S. telecom networks, accessing systems used for court-ordered wiretapping. Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen were reportedly affected
Chinese hackers have reportedly hacked into the networks of major U.S. telecom companies, gaining access to sensitive systems used for court-approved wiretapping, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Saturday. This breach is raising serious concerns about cybersecurity, as it has compromised important network infrastructure.
The WSJ report mentions that the affected telecom providers include Verizon Communications, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies. The hackers are believed to have had access for several months to systems that these companies use to assist the government with wiretap requests. The hackers may have also intercepted other types of internet data during the breach.
China's Response to the Allegations
In response to the report, China's foreign ministry denied knowledge of the alleged cyberattack, stating that the U.S. has often fabricated stories to falsely accuse China. The ministry, in a statement to Reuters, emphasized that cybersecurity is a global challenge that all countries face, and that these accusations only hinder international cooperation on the issue.
China has repeatedly denied accusations from the U.S. and other nations that it sponsors hacking activities to infiltrate foreign networks and steal data. This latest breach adds to the ongoing tensions between the two countries over cybersecurity issues.
Chinese Hacking Group Identified
U.S. investigators believe the breach was carried out by a Chinese hacking group known as "Salt Typhoon," which is reportedly focused on gathering intelligence. This follows a similar incident earlier in the year when U.S. authorities disrupted another hacking group, "Flax Typhoon," also tied to China. The U.S. government has long accused China of running large-scale cyber espionage operations aimed at stealing sensitive information.
China's foreign ministry has dismissed these allegations, claiming that their cybersecurity agencies have evidence showing that previous attacks like "Volt Typhoon" were actually staged by international ransomware groups, not state-sponsored hackers.
Cybersecurity Concerns and Impact
The breach is raising alarms about the vulnerability of U.S. infrastructure to cyberattacks. Telecom companies like Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies play a vital role in providing the systems that help law enforcement monitor communications under court orders. A breach of these systems could compromise sensitive legal investigations and national security.
As the investigation continues, cybersecurity experts are urging companies to strengthen their digital defenses against increasingly sophisticated hackers. The rising number of cyberattacks has led to greater concern over national security, pushing governments worldwide to collaborate more in fighting these threats.
At this point, Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies have not yet responded to requests for comments about the breach.
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