US Disrupts Chinese Hacking Operation Targeting Government Agencies

The US Justice Department announced that it had disrupted a Chinese hacking operation responsible for break-ins at several sensitive government agencies. The affected institutions include the US Justice Department, NASA, the Federal Reserve, the US Senate, and other critical infrastructure.

An affidavit identified the US Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, and four unnamed companies in the United States and South Korea as being among the hackers' victims. The Justice Department seized domains used by two hacking platforms, dubbed 'QScan' and 'QTRouter,' which were allegedly used as part of the campaign.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Beijing routinely denies responsibility for hacking activity. Experts who follow Chinese cyber activity say that private contractors often carry out high-profile intrusions on behalf of various Chinese government agencies.