Chinese hackers preparing to attack US infrastructure.
During a speech at Vanderbilt University, FBI Director Wray revealed that a persistent Chinese hacking effort known as Volt Typhoon has successfully infiltrated numerous American companies in critical sectors such as telecommunications, energy, and water. This campaign targeted 23 pipeline operators specifically.
Wray warned that China is enhancing its capability to disrupt critical infrastructure, aiming to cause chaos at a time of its choosing. This aligns with China's broader strategy to deter U.S. intervention in defense of Taiwan, although the exact intent behind this cyber pre-positioning remains unclear.
China's claim over Taiwan, a democratic island, has been a longstanding issue, with Taiwan vehemently rejecting China's sovereignty claims and advocating for its people's right to determine their future.
In response to accusations, a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson denied any government involvement in Volt Typhoon, labeling it as the work of a criminal ransomware group. The Chinese Embassy in Washington echoed this statement, criticizing the U.S. for politicizing cybersecurity and shifting blame onto China.
Wray disclosed that China's hackers utilize botnets, networks of compromised computers and servers worldwide, to conceal their cyber activities. Previous reports from private sector technology and cybersecurity firms, including Microsoft and Google, have also linked Volt Typhoon to China.
