Microsoft warns U.S. government against Chinese hackers

Microsoft has reportedly warned US official about Chinese state-sponsored hackers, aiming to gain intelligence from hacking multiple cyber infrastructures.

According to reports, Microsoft has seemingly warned officials that Chinese state-sponsored hackers have gotten into the U.S. cyber infrastructure. The report suggested that a number of industries were being targeted in order to gain certain intelligence. Microsoft reported found out that the hackers in question were called “Volt Typhoon”, conducting operations since 2021.  

Microsoft in an official complaint said, the organization was working towards disruption and mayhem and needed to be eradicated to avoid future crisis. The National Security Agency responded to the warning on Wednesday.

Evidently, the assault is still going on, however, Microsoft notified affected customers and advised them to change all credentials or completely close all compromised accounts.

According to the New York Times, U.S. intelligence officials learned about the intrusion in February, the same time that a Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down.

The Times further reported, the intrusion targeted communication systems in Guam and other U.S. locations and particularly alarmed American intelligence because, Guam is important to the country's military reaction in the event of a Taiwanese invasion.

According to Microsoft, infrastructure in almost every important industry, including the maritime, transportation, and communications sectors, has been damaged. Governmental agencies were also the target.

Hackers supported by the Chinese government have previously targeted sensitive and important data from American businesses. A renowned law firm, Covington and Burling, was attacked in 2020 by alleged Chinese state-sponsored hackers.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a joint statement, with domestic and foreign intelligence services warning that Chinese intrusions continue to be a threat to American intellectual property.