DOJ, FBI say China-backed hackers breached Fed, other US agencies

The U.S. government has reported that Chinese hackers breached several critical agencies, including the Justice Department, NASA, the Federal Reserve, and the U.S. Senate. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI announced the seizure of two online platforms associated with a group known as “QTFY,” which is operated by the China-based Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology Co. These platforms, identified as QScan and QTRouter, were allegedly used to target U.S. critical infrastructure and other sensitive networks since 2018. The DOJ stated that the seizure of these domains rendered the botnet and its command and control servers "inoperable." The domains were hardcoded into the botnet's code, making them essential for its communication and operations. The actions taken by U.S. authorities were part of a broader effort to disrupt state-sponsored malicious hacking activities aimed at American critical infrastructure. Court documents have linked the QTFY group to multiple cyber breaches across various U.S. agencies. The FBI has characterized this hacking campaign as a significant threat, targeting not only government entities but also critical infrastructure. The U.S. government continues to address the challenges posed by state-sponsored cyber threats, particularly those emanating from China. The seizure of the QTFY platforms represents a significant step in countering these threats and protecting national security.