CyberSecurity news
FlagThis
Dissent@DataBreaches.Net
//
China has accused the United States National Security Agency (NSA) of launching "advanced" cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in February 2025, targeting essential industries. Police in the northeastern city of Harbin have placed three alleged NSA agents on a wanted list, accusing them of attacking the Winter Games' event information system and key information infrastructure in Heilongjiang province, where Harbin is located. The named NSA agents are Katheryn A. Wilson, Robert J. Snelling, and Stephen W. Johnson, all allegedly members of the NSA's Tailored Access Operations (TAO) offensive cyber unit.
China Daily reports the TAO targeted systems used for registration, timekeeping, and competition entry at the Games, systems which store "vast amounts of sensitive personal data." The publication also stated the TAO appeared to be trying to implant backdoors and used multiple front organizations to purchase servers in Europe and Asia to conceal its tracks and acquire the tools used to breach Chinese systems. A joint report from China's computer emergency response centers (CERTs) stated that over 270,000 attacks on the Asian Winter Games were detected, with 170,000 allegedly launched by the US.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned the alleged cyber activity, urging the U.S. to take a responsible attitude on cybersecurity issues and stop any attacks and "groundless vilification against China." Xinhua reported the agents repeatedly carried out cyber attacks on China’s critical information infrastructure and participated in cyber attacks on Huawei and other enterprises. Chinese law enforcement agencies are seeking information that could lead to the arrest of the three NSA operatives, though rewards were not disclosed.
References :
China Daily reports the TAO targeted systems used for registration, timekeeping, and competition entry at the Games, systems which store "vast amounts of sensitive personal data." The publication also stated the TAO appeared to be trying to implant backdoors and used multiple front organizations to purchase servers in Europe and Asia to conceal its tracks and acquire the tools used to breach Chinese systems. A joint report from China's computer emergency response centers (CERTs) stated that over 270,000 attacks on the Asian Winter Games were detected, with 170,000 allegedly launched by the US.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned the alleged cyber activity, urging the U.S. to take a responsible attitude on cybersecurity issues and stop any attacks and "groundless vilification against China." Xinhua reported the agents repeatedly carried out cyber attacks on China’s critical information infrastructure and participated in cyber attacks on Huawei and other enterprises. Chinese law enforcement agencies are seeking information that could lead to the arrest of the three NSA operatives, though rewards were not disclosed.
Share:
References :
- The Register - Security: China names alleged US snoops over Asian Winter Games attacks
- www.cybersecurity-insiders.com: China accuses US of launching advanced Cyber Attacks on its infrastructure
- CyberScoop: Chinese law enforcement places NSA operatives on wanted list over alleged cyberattacks
- DataBreaches.Net: China accuses US of launching ‘advanced’ cyberattacks, names alleged NSA agents
- www.scworld.com: China's allegation that NSA hacked Asian Winter Games draws suspicion
- cyberscoop.com: Chinese law enforcement places NSA operatives on wanted list over alleged cyberattacks
- PCMag UK security: Police in the Chinese city of Harbin say three NSA operatives disrupted the 2025 Asian Winter Games and hacked Huawei.
- www.csoonline.com: China accused the United States National Security Agency (NSA) on Tuesday of launching “advanced†cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in February, targeting essential industries.
- Metacurity: China accuses NSA of 'advanced cyberattacks' during the Asian Winter Games
- www.metacurity.com: China accuses NSA of 'advanced cyberattacks' during the Asian Winter Games
- www.dailymail.co.uk: China accuses US of launching 'advanced' cyberattacks, names alleged NSA agents
- sysdig.com: UNC5174’s evolution in China’s ongoing cyber warfare: From SNOWLIGHT to VShell
- aboutdfir.com: China Admitted to Volt Typhoon Cyberattacks on US Critical Infrastructure
Classification:
- HashTags: #CyberWarfare #ChinaVsUSA #CyberEspionage
- Company: China
- Target: U.S. infrastructure
- Attacker: China
- Feature: Cyberattacks
- Type: Espionage
- Severity: Major