Chinese Hackers Hit Russia in Cyberattack

Newsweek ^ | 13 August 2024 | Micah McCartney

[Apparatchik]

Dozens of systems used by government bodies and IT companies in Russia have reportedly become the targets of Chinese hackers.

Moscow-based cybersecurity provider Kaspersky Lab, revealed that the backdoor malware used to gain access to the systems was "GrewApacha," a Trojan used since at least 2021 by the Chinese cyber-espionage group known as APT31 (Advanced Peristent Threat 31).

APT31 is believed to have ties to China's civilian spy agency, the Ministry of State Security (MSS). Earlier this year, the United States Justice department indicted several Chinese nationals and one company for allegedly carrying out APT31 operations.

"During these attacks, attackers infected devices using phishing emails with attachments containing malicious shortcut files," read an August 8 report by Kaspersky Lab-managed website SecureList. Kaspersky has dubbed the Russia-centered hacking campaign "EastWind."

Clicking on these files prompts the installation of the malware, which receives commands from the Dropbox cloud storage.

"With the help of this software, the attackers downloaded additional Trojans to the infected computers, in particular, tools used by the APT31 cybergroup, as well as the updated CloudSorcerer backdoor," the report said.

[JonPreston]

In less than 3 months this guy has a 50/50 chance of being elected, along with his Low IQ partner. But yeah, let's look at all the shiny objects idiots throw up in the air

[Sertorius]

He has deep connections with China it seems with half of the Democrat party(Mark Kelly, Swallwell, Biden, etc (not to mention Republicans like McConnell). This is another example of a pattern of China hedging its bets.

China nationals are the ones who are trying to gain intelligence on our military bases. Servicemen are getting arrested for selling Top Secret documents to China, not Russia.

I like to know what China is up to.

[DoughtyOne]

A smart guy would come in, put a end to the Ukraine war,
and start talks with Russia to peel them off from China.
And over the devout objections from our Communist Party.

[gleeaikin]

It;s nice to see new names showing up for these interesting international issues, the efforts of “berries” to ridicule not withstanding. Personally, I like to chew gum while walking, it is less encumbering than carrying a water bottle. It is important to be aware that Chinese can be very patient—decades and centuries patient.

Is anyone here thinking that requiring TicToc to NOT be owned by a Chinese loyal company is an unimportant idea?

[PIF]

I like to chew gum while walking, it is less encumbering than carrying a water bottle.
—

Chewing gum while walking will not keep you hydrated, the water bottle will.

[SunkenCiv]

I think TikTok should be bought out by Mint. Wait, what? ;^)

[Sertorius]

Speaking of interesting international scenarios:

What happens if we provoke Russia, China, or Iran into a nuclear missile attack and we are “successful” in shooting down the missiles heading for New York, California, and D.C., but “fail” to intercept the missiles heading for Texas, Florida, and other “red” states?

Something to think about.

[blitz128]

During congressional hearings it was admitted we don’t have enough missle defense for even your possible scenario

My understanding is we have something like 44 ground based interceptors some that have never had a successful test CE-1 interceptor which accounts for almost half

40
In Alaska and 4 in California

So if China or Russia launch an all out attack and even if it is limited we are screwed, but so is everyone else

[SunkenCiv]

No, it’s not.

[PIF]

What happens if we provoke Russia, China, or Iran into a nuclear missile attack and we are “successful” in shooting down the missiles heading for New York, California, and D.C.,
—

Not really, since we have virtually no missile defense - 0Bama killed it during his terms, but Trump tried to revive it but ran into money problems since most of the federal revenue goes to entitlement programs, not to the military.

Now its so bad the Navy cannot afford planes or ships and the AF cannot afford fighters or bombers. Biden’s proposed budget cuts DOD spending even more. The DOD only gets 3.2% of the GDP now, less later.,

Missile defense? What’s that?

There are only a handful of kill vehicles - enough to take out 5-6 incoming from NK. None will take out Russian missiles; THAD might get a few Chinese ones, if they are exceedingly lucky; the Navy’s SM series could get a few more.

But then we are talking about many 100s of missiles, so most will get through, no matter their targets.

However most of those named countries will not, not, never launch. Except Iran. The only country that MAD is meaningless to. The Mad Mullahs actually want a nuclear conflagration per their “religious” beliefs.