The technical company Microsoft and the United States of America announced this Wednesday that the organization, sponsored by the Chinese government, was carrying out a research campaign and was working on “critical infrastructure” in the country.
In a statement, the tech giant said a Chinese organization known as “Volt Typhoon” had pursued a cyber campaign that could “disrupt communication” between the United States and Asia in the future.
The hackers have been active since mid-2021 and have organizations in Guam, a Pacific island that is part of the US, and elsewhere in the country.
“The organizations affected share the communications, manufacturing, utilities, transportation, construction, maritime, government, information technology and education sectors,” Microsoft said.
The National Security Agency (NSA) also confirmed the Chinese attack on Wednesday.
“A Chinese-sponsored agent living outside (US) territory is using embedded network equipment to evade our defenses and leave no trace,” said Rob Joyce, the NSA’s director of cybersecurity.
The agency added that it has been working with the governments of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Britain, as well as the FBI to identify other possible cyber attacks.
Guam, a US territory since 1898, is located in a strategic location in the western Pacific and has a naval and air base there, where a total of 6,000 troops are deployed and controls 40% of the territory.
