Chinese state media claims U.S. NSA infiltrated country’s telecommunications networks
Beijing has long accused the US of conducting cyber attacks on Chinese targets. But recently, it has accused the US National Security Agency of hacking specific targets.
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Chinese state media claimed on Thursday that a US intelligence agency gained access to China’s telecommunications network after hacking a university.
The Global Times, citing an unnamed source, alleged that the US National Security Agency used phishing — a hacking technique where a malicious link is inserted into an email — to target government-funded Northwestern. To get admission in Polytechnic University.
According to the Global Times, US hackers stole “fundamental technology data including key network equipment configurations, network management data, and core operational data,” and other files.
The Global Times alleged that as part of the NSA hack, the agency infiltrated Chinese telecommunications operators so the US could “control the country’s infrastructure”.
The NSA was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC. The hack has not been confirmed by CNBC.
The Global Times, citing its unnamed source, reported that more details about the attack on the Northwestern Polytechnic University would be released soon.
For years, China has accused the United States of cyber attacks without explanation. However, in the past few weeks, Beijing has been more vocal in escalating tensions between the two countries in the cyber arena, particularly in blaming the attacks on the United States.
Conversely, Washington and US cybersecurity firms have blamed China for specific attacks over the past few years.
The alleged attack on Northwestern Polytechnic University was first disclosed by China’s National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center earlier this month. The agency also accused the US of engaging in “tens of thousands” of cyber attacks on Chinese targets.
For its part, the US has accused China of large-scale hacking operations. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray Said in February that China’s cyber attacks have become “more brazen, more damaging than ever”.
Wray accused China of trying to steal American information and technology.