US seized tools used by China-linked hackers | NHK WORLD

US seized tools used by China-linked hackers

The US Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation say they have blocked a company associated with the Chinese government from accessing tools used for cyberattacks against key US and foreign infrastructure systems

The department and FBI announced on Thursday that they have seized seven domains to deny access to two intrusion tools used to scan and hack critical infrastructure systems and other networks.

The authorities said cyber actors working for China-based company, Integrity Technology Group, operated and used the tools as part of their hacking activities. They said the firm has contracts with Beijing.

The company reportedly conducted reconnaissance of key infrastructure networks for vulnerabilities that its clients would later exploit. They say targets included a US power company as well as Japanese and Polish airports.

The authorities also said that the company compromised networks of targets and downloaded malware to provide its clients with unauthorized remote access. Confirmed victims reportedly included about 20 Taiwanese universities.

The authorities said Japan's National Police Agency cooperated in the investigation.

An official of the FBI's cyber division said that China relies on contractor and enabling companies to expand the reach and scale of its malicious cyber activities.

The official added that by exposing and disrupting these enablers, authorities make it harder for China to target American networks and infrastructure.