The Crazy Way China Could Be Spying, Spreading Cyberattacks on Russian Households and Companies

Common household devices made in China are apparently being used to infiltrate and spread cyberviruses in some systems in Russia.

The BBC pointed to a report from the state-owned TV channel Rossiya 24 that said some clothing irons and even electric teapots imported from China were implanted with a "spy chip" that functioned like a "little microphone."

Some appliances imported into Russia from China were found to have computer virus-spreading chips. (Image source: YouTube)

The chip apparently connects to computers through unsecured wireless networks within a 650-foot radius to spread viruses.

Irons and kettles aren't the only products found with the hacking chips. The report cited cellphones and car dash cameras being found with such chips as well.

Noticing a difference in reported weights of appliances, like irons and teapots, being imported, some were opened up and revealed the chip that connects to unsecured WiFi networks to infect computers. (Image source: YouTube)

The Russian news agency Rosbalt reported (translated via Google Translate) that officials found out this was happening with some imported goods when they opened up devices after noticing a difference in weight.

An official said the next batch of appliances from the source was rejected.

The director of the importer of home appliances, Innocent Fedorov, said in a press conference that this "is far from a joke," Rosbalt reported.

Here's a report about the spying showing on of the offending irons (Note: report is in Russian):

In recent years, China has been blamed for cyberattacks, especially on companies in the United States.

(H/T: Popular Science)

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Featured image via Shutterstock

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