Australia's Cybersecurity Agency Links Online Crimes to China-Backed Hackers

SYDNEY — Australia's Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has accused a China-backed hacker group, identified as APT40, of conducting malicious cyber operations aimed at stealing passwords and usernames from two unspecified Australian networks in 2022. The ACSC's joint report, involving key cyber security agencies from the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Germany, detailed the group's activities linked to China’s Ministry of State Security, which oversees foreign intelligence operations.

According to the report, APT40's cyber tactics and techniques align with those commonly associated with Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups. These groups, often state-sponsored, engage in sustained and sophisticated cyber attacks targeting governments, organizations, and individuals globally. The report did not specify the nature or extent of the data breach on the Australian networks.

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In response to the allegations, China's embassy in Australia did not immediately issue a comment regarding the accusations made by the ACSC and its international counterparts. Earlier in March, US and British officials accused China of orchestrating widespread cyber espionage, alleging that APT31, another state-backed group, was responsible for significant network intrusions affecting millions worldwide, including lawmakers, academics, journalists, and defense contractors.

China refuted these claims, dismissing them as political maneuvers aimed at tarnishing its international image. The term "Advanced Persistent Threat" (APT) refers to cyber actors or groups known for their sophisticated and persistent cyber activities, often targeting sensitive information and critical infrastructure.

Highlighting Australia's proactive stance on cyber defense, Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasized the country's commitment to protecting its institutions and citizens from cyber threats. This attribution of cyber attacks marks a significant step for Australia, underscoring its capability to identify and confront malicious cyber activities at an international level.

The report surfaces amidst ongoing efforts to mend bilateral relations between Australia and China, strained since 2020 following Australia's call for an independent inquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. The diplomatic rift led to economic tensions, including retaliatory tariffs imposed by Beijing on Australian exports, which have since been partially lifted as relations gradually normalize.

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