FBI seizes hacking tools used by Chinese cyber operation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 19:55 · Archive

The FBI has shut down scanning and phishing tools used by hackers linked to the Chinese government.

The FBI and Justice Department announced Wednesday that they have seized scanning and phishing tools used by hackers linked to the Chinese government. The tools, called Microscan and FishHub, targeted critical infrastructure, academia and power companies in the United States and abroad. Targets included an unnamed U.S. power company, Japanese and Polish airports, Taiwanese universities, a multinational nongovernmental organisation and Taiwanese critical infrastructure companies.

The seizure represents the latest law enforcement action against a hacking campaign known to the private sector as Flax Typhoon. The tools have been rendered inoperable, which the FBI and Justice Department called a significant blow to the operation. The tools were operated by Integrity Technology Group, a Chinese-based information security company that the FBI says is closely associated with the Chinese government and is the actual identity of Flax Typhoon.

FBI Cyber Division Deputy Assistant Director Jason Bilnoski said the agency aims to disrupt threat actors' capabilities, infrastructure, finances and tools. In September 2024, the FBI disrupted a botnet associated with Flax Typhoon that had installed malicious software on more than 200,000 consumer devices including cameras, video recorders and routers to create a network of infected computers used to facilitate cyber crimes and steal sensitive information.

How it is being reported

• The FBI has seized tools used by Chinese hackers for cyber operations, officials sayThe FBI has seized scanning and phishing tools used by a group of hackers that officials say is associated with the Chinese government and that is responsible for disruptive cyber operations in the United States and abroad, including against the power industry, academia and critical infrastructure.Clickorlando · 8 Oct, 19:12
• The FBI has seized tools used by Chinese hackers for cyber operations, officials sayThe FBI has seized scanning and phishing tools used by a group of hackers that officials say is associated with the Chinese government and that is responsible for disruptive cyber operations in the United States and abroad, including against the power industry, academia and critical infrastructure.News4Jax · 8 Oct, 19:12

In this story: FBI · Justice Department · Chinese government · Integrity Technology Group · Flax Typhoon · Jason Bilnoski · United States · China

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