Security Company: China Linked to Cyber Attacks on 48 Chemical and Defense Companies
- Posted on November 1, 2011 at 2:43pm by
Liz Klimas
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BEIJING (The Blaze/AP) — A U.S. computer security company says from its analysis, cyber attacks on at least 48 chemical and military-related companies in an effort to steal technical secrets have been traced to China.
The targets included 29 chemical companies and 19 others that make advanced materials used by the military, California-based Symantec Corp. said in a report. It said the group included multiple Fortune 100 companies but did not identify them.
Figure 1 from Symantec's report: This data is derived from the IP addresses of machines connecting back to the command and control server. The majority of infected machines are located in the US, Bangladesh and the UK; however, overall there is wide geographical spread of infections.
“The purpose of the attacks appears to be industrial espionage, collecting intellectual property for competitive advantage,” said the report.
This news comes in as China is also denying an accusation made last week by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission that the country hacked into two U.S. weather monitoring satellites, Reuters reports. The commission states that it hasn’t actually traced these weather satellite hacks back to China, but that the hacks appear consistent with “with authoritative Chinese military writings”.
Security experts say China is a center for Internet crime. Attacks against governments, companies and human rights groups have been traced to this country, though finding the precise source is nearly impossible. China’s military is a leader in cyberwarfare research but the government has rejected allegations of cyberspying and says it also is a target.
The latest attacks occurred between late July and September and used e-mails sent to companies to plant software dubbed “PoisonIvy” in their computers, Symantec said. It said the same hackers also were involved in attacks earlier this year on human rights groups and auto companies.
Symantec said it traced the attacks to a computer system owned by a Chinese man in his 20s in the central province of Hebei. It said that when contacted, the man provided a contact who would perform “hacking for hire.”
Symantec said it could not determine whether the Chinese man was a lone attacker, whether he had a direct or indirect role or whether he hacked the targets for someone else. It called him Covert Grove based on a translation of his Chinese name.
The U.S. and Chinese governments have accused each other of being involved in industrial espionage.
Security consultants say the high skill level of earlier attacks traced to China suggests its military or other government agencies might be stealing technology and trade secrets to help state companies.
The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, Rep. Mike Rogers, said last month that Chinese efforts to steal U.S. technology over the Internet had reached an “intolerable level.” He called on the U.S. and other governments to pressure Beijing to stop.
Another security firm, McAfee Inc., said in August it had found a five-year-long hacking campaign that it called Operation Shady Rat against more than 70 governments, international institutions, corporations and think tanks.
In February, McAfee said hackers operating from China stole information from oil companies in the United States, Taiwan, Greece and Kazakhstan about operations, financing and bidding for oil fields.
Thousands of Chinese computer enthusiasts belong to hacker clubs and experts say some are supported by the military to develop a pool of possible recruits. Experts say military-trained civilians also might work as contractors for companies that want to steal technology or business secrets from rivals. Earlier this year, The Blaze reported on evidence that showed a Chinese military university engaging in cyberwarfare against the U.S.
China has the world’s biggest population of Internet users, with more than 450 million people online, and the government promotes Web use for business and education. But experts say security for many computers in China is so poor that they are vulnerable to being taken over and used to hide the source of attacks from elsewhere.
Last year, Google Inc. closed its China-based search engine after complaining of cyber attacks from China against its e-mail service.
That case highlighted the difficulty of tracking hackers. Experts said that even if the Google attacks were traced to a computer in China, it would have to be examined in person to be sure it wasn’t hijacked by an attacker abroad.
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Comments (50)
ChileJohn
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 7:02pmHere’s why anyone should be careful when using Huawei in enviroments that wish to remain secure. http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?178826-India-bans-Chinese-telecom-equipment-due-to-embedded-malware
“…China itself is involved in a tussle with Europe and the United States over Beijing’s attempts to force foreign suppliers of computer security technology to disclose how it works. Indian officials say the ban was prompted by concerns that Chinese telecom equipment could have spyware or malicious software — known as “malware” — embedded in it which could give Chinese intelligence agencies access to telecom networks in India…”
“…The ban and other regulations come less than a week after media reports that Chinese hackers had broken into the computer networks of India’s security, defense and diplomatic establishment…”
The United States and Europe have said Beijing’s requirement that global technology suppliers reveal the inner workings of computer encryption and other security products to conduct business in China was protectionist.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 10:26pm1. Herman Cain is NOT a politician. (I have gotten a lot of grief for this comment, but I feel as if I’m on solid ground here because politicians have have gotten this country into the mess we are in, and it’s about time for us to hire a “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” type of candidate. You know, a regular common sense citizen that still owns his own soul and NOT beholden to anyone)
2. Herman Cain is probably the ONLY candidate that can beat Obama. (Two major factors play into my reason for making such a bold statement. One… do NOT believe for a second that beating Obama is going to be easy, and I don’t care who tells you so, they are either dead-wrong or lying to you. Just the expected historical level of cheating that is expected by the Obama Election Thug Machine may be enough for Obama to beat any candidate we put forth. Secondly and more importantly… Herman is the ONLY candidate that can strip away 30% or more of the minority vote from Obama)
There are some very good reasons other than just these two, but for me, these two are all I need.
Report Post »ChileJohn
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 6:16pmIn what percentage of the successful attacks were the victims using Chinese Huawei equipment?
Report Post »ChileJohn
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 6:13pmHow many of the victims of the attacks were penetrated and what percentage of those willing idiots were using CHINESE HUAWEI equipment?
Report Post »AlmostaCowboy
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 5:48pmAnd these are the guys with whom Obama’s boy Immelt (GE) wants to share technology of our military fighter aircraft engines.
Would someone please wake me from this nightmare?
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 5:30pmWHAT???You mean our friends the Chinese would do such a thing. Why…we let them build everythng for us. It cannot be true. They run their nuke subs right off of our coasts for our protection. THey are our friends. (sarcasm to the max)
Report Post »Bernard
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:59pmThe word “attack” is used in this article regarding China’s cyber spying, and it is appropriate. The US has a long list of problems with China. Among them being spying done by persons in the US or through computers. Artificial devaluation of the Yuan thereby contributing heavily to the demise of the US manufacturing and industrial base, to her blatant disregard to environmental issues where a coal plant is built every week, to her regular use of he Security Council veto to fend off sanctions and other acts needed to contain nations like Iran, North Korea to Pakistan.
Report Post »In addition China along with Russia has created the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) with members such as China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to take on NATO.
At this time the US or NATO cannot deal in most areas of the world without dealing with Beijing. Take the Middle East for example. China has cooperated with Iran in building a 100 Billion gas line disregarding the warnings of such an act by the US and now China is the largest consumer of Middle Eastern oil and is the largest exporter to the Middle East of her products. Along with this commercial clout, China’s diplomatic clout goes together.
Currently we are in disagreement with Pakistan, but Pakistan’s stalwart ally is China. To date China has publicly been silent, but has clandestinely worked with Pakistan to keep the US at bay. To deal with Pakistan is to deal with China
I Luv America
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:06pmI’ve been a little nervous since a company owned by a Chinese man moved in next door to my office. He seems nice enough, but you never know. There is also a school near where I work that is mostly attended by Chinese. Hopefully I’m just being paranoid, but it is getting a little creepy that the number of Chinese in my area (SF Bay Area) has increased dramatically in the last year.
Report Post »Bernard
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 5:03pmI Luv America
Report Post »You have good reason for being suspicious since the Lawrence Livermore Lab, a sate of the art research center that has been targeted by Chinese spies is there.
knighttemplar999
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:02pmThis story leaves out the information that the virus was likely an offshoot of a stuxnet virus likely developed by the USA and Israel.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:00pmRead the chapter in this book called “Chimerica” http://www.amazon.com/Ascent-Money-Financial-History-World/dp/1594201927
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:59pmLadies and gentlemen …Again warning you if you trust the Chinese you are “fools” …and will be played as such…They jumped us as we were ready to finish off the Communists in North Korea ..Then when they began to starve to death they decided to be our “friend” …We didn’t have again the inner strength to say no sorry sit there and wallow in your misery. Instead we saw the beginnings of the world community collective crap …Enjoying that experience today….Greed …it will get you every time..and in the end the Chinese will just really or figuratively put a bullet into the back of your head …remember the little girl from a couple weeks ago .
Sort of like the rest of the communist activity today ..Occupy rapes ..and the alike..all good communists traits.So go adhead and think you will profit form it ..Let us know how it works out in the end.
Report Post »robert buckland
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:51pmIf we can show that the Chicoms are behind this then why don’t we sue them in a U.S. court? When they refuse to pay we get a judgement on the debt payments we owe them.
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:01pmGood point … Answer we are ball less …..
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:06pmWhy should the Gubbermint get the money?? The company’s are the ones being harmed. Another Barry slush fund source?? Barry spent the money borrowed from China,, let the DEMOCRAT Party pay it back, they were and are the recipients.
Report Post »ArmyDad14J
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:45pmLet’s all keep shopping at Walmart. Keep empowering them with all the money we spend on their products. You know I work for a company that expanded into Europe. The company they purchased in Europe had just finished building a manufacturing facility in China. Within two years of the purchase they had to close down the China operation because fraud/theft was so rampant. Actually had an employee copying all of his work on product designs and selling it to a competitor.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:51pmGo check out the stuff at “high end” stores also .. most of it is also “Made in China” .. why always target WalMart? Just because you pay more doesn’t mean you are getting American made products .. I have even seen U.S. Flags on tags and the small print says made in China. Read the labels.
Report Post »ArmyDad14J
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:02pmIt’s not just Walmart you are correct. However, living in a small town our wonderful Walmart has run almost all other stores out because they couldn‘t compete with Walmart’s prices.
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:37pmJohn Stossel had a program about “Buy American” Very interesting. He showed how we are better off buying the least-expensive item (regardless of where it’s manufactured) and used the saved money to buy even more things. He said the “Buy American” is mostly a union labor slogan and that we have to compete in the marketplace.
Report Post »TXVET48
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:44pmCorruption has been raised to a fine art in China. Makes our lobbyists and congress look juvenile.
Report Post »constitutionaldirective
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:37pmDON‘T Y’ALL WORRY!!
The Immaculate Savior has got this.. Sheeple should not concern themselves with as this information stuff !
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:51pmREMINDER: Congress recently made cyber-terrorism an act of WAR, allowing us to mount a response using military force…you see where this is going?
Report Post »ares338
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:36pmI don’t buy anything from China that I know about! We owe them a ton of money and yet we send THEM foreign aide? I agree with the guy on here that posted whatever we owe them, that is exactly what their fine for hacking is!
Report Post »blazingaway
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:10pmYou know what folks … it seems to me that America and Americans were much happier and more prosperous, certainly more self-reliant when we didn’t have anything to do with China. I’m all for telling China that the trillions of dollars they hold in US Debt is the fine or penalty we are going to impose upon them for all this crap they keep attempting to do. Pay to play and the cost too them is the cost of our national debt the own. Whenever I buy any thing if it is made in CHINA I won’t buy it if I can avoid doing so.
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:20pmIs the US going to invade China now?
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:32pm@Vechorik No, we need a stronger excuse than computer hacking to go to war with China. War is coming, the people at the top want it bad, but right now we don’t have a valid excuse. There has to be a trigger event, something to stir public anger to an exploding point. It either needs to be an assassination (Prince Ferdinand) or a violent attack (Pearl Harbor, 9/11).
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:38pmWell how do you really know China is doing it? Maybe come November 9th when the government tries to flex it’s might over the American people by turning off communications, maybe they will stay on?
Report Post »TXVET48
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:10pmIf China can control it’s massive population long enough, it will be the last super power standing. At least it won’t be Muslim controlled. The US needs to guard itself against complacency caused from being the sole super power since the wall came down. Sadly, we are not that super power any longer and as a divided nation will continue to slide into the abyss. We must elect new leadership with strong moral convictions and stop the continued assault on our Constitution and our freedoms. The Founding Fathers feared for the future we’re living.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:41pmThis is why war with China is inevitable. The people of China are growing restless because of the economic downturn. The government promised economic growth, and they MUST deliver or risk revolution. The way to avoid this is to turn that anger outward toward a foreign enemy. The Chinese government WANTS war with the United States.
Politicians in the USA, Europe, and even the middle east also want war for similar reasons: to turn public anger away from them and toward a foreign enemy. Global Corporations awant war because it means fat military contracts. International Bankers want war because it means increased government borrowing.
WAR IS COMING…
Report Post »Maxim Crux
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:50pmA friend just got back from China and he says it is like a great depression over there. The Chinese communist party is now at 80 million strong and growing. It is only a matter of time before they come against the US, Brittan and Israel. Of course the Obama administration is weakening the nation to make it easier on them.
Report Post »TXVET48
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:38pm@Maxim If we think the gap between the haves and have nots is huge here in the States, China’s wealth distribution is much more pronounced. An empire caves from within, I hope the Chinese peasants rise up in time to prevent China from escalating tensions abroad. Much rather have them squabbling amongst themselves. America does not have the manpower to take on China. No one does.
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:04pmThe Pantsuit has her nose so far up the backside of China, she’ll sniff out the problem. Don’t be alarmed!
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:02pmThe amazing thing about people because they are Satanic (that being self absorbed) is that even if space-aliens were taking over their systems they would blame it on each other because that’s what the devil does.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:08pmDevilish people do not divide themselves from devilish people or their Kingdom will not stand.
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:01pmThe chinos wouldn’t do anything like hack into our stuff and maybe be able to build their own space station and build lift rockets to put satellites into orbit and pay our engineers for companies secrets, no, Surely NOT. It ain’t happening! ms. pelosi, could I pulease have another cup of that delicious concoction?
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 2:58pmWake the #%&* up people. The Chi Coms are not our friends!! They are Obama’s friends and he sure as H*** is not a friend of the United states………Just sayin’
Report Post »netmail
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:45pmIm pretty sure the Chinese dispise Obama as much as we do, but they DO love how easy he is to take advantage of. (A Chinese specialty)
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 2:58pmHow do you know your computers are not getting hacked by space-ship aliens?
Report Post »STS2_SS_Iver
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 2:55pmAs we say in Boston: “Wicked Shocka!”
Report Post »Minnaloushe
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 2:54pmChase a dollar off a 1000-foot cliff. Sell your soul to China for a buck.
Same thing.
H-ll with the Red Chinese.
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 2:53pmChina = enemy #1. Well, may after Islam.
Report Post »wbalzley
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 3:47pmThe two have close ties. China has been cozying up to the middle-east. They hope to convince Saudi-Arabia and Iran to value their oil in Renmimbi (Yuan) and displace the dollar as the World Reserve Currency. This is one reason they support Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 4:39pmYes, China is backing Iran and US has plans to attack Iran (plans developed several years ago).
Report Post »Maxim Crux
Posted on November 1, 2011 at 2:53pmWhy go through all the trouble when they can just have a Clinton or Obama crash a stealth fighter in a war zone like Kosovo or Pakistan and let the Chinese come get all the information they need
Report Post »