The FBI has taken significant action against a vast network of compromised internet routers and devices that were being utilized by hackers with links to the Chinese government. This operation, which involved a court order, aims to dismantle a botnet that posed a serious threat to critical infrastructure both in the United States and internationally, FBI Director Christopher Wray announced at the Aspen Cyber Summit in Washington, DC.
Wray emphasized that this intervention represents just a small part of an ongoing struggle against cyber threats. He warned that the Chinese government remains intent on targeting both American organizations and vital infrastructure. “This is just one round in a much longer fight,” he stated.
According to a recent advisory from the U.S. and its allies within the “Five Eyes” intelligence network—comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom—this botnet encompassed over 260,000 hacked devices globally, spanning continents from North and South America to Australia. The compromised devices, including webcams, DVRs, and routers, posed a risk, with approximately half of them located within the United States.
In response, a representative from the Chinese Embassy in Washington dismissed the accusations as unfounded, claiming that the U.S. itself has been engaged in cyberattacks against China.
This incident is the latest development in the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China in the realm of cybersecurity. U.S. officials have consistently raised alarms about another Chinese government-backed hacking group that has reportedly infiltrated U.S. transportation and communication systems. Wray previously informed Congress that this group is poised to “wreak havoc and cause real-world harm” in the event of a conflict, particularly concerning a potential Chinese military action against Taiwan.
Source: CNN
