Chinese cyberattack on US telecom firms more extensive than previously known

Based on reliable sources, the Wall Street Journal has disclosed that a Chinese hack on American telecom firms was more extensive than first thought. Windstream, Consolidated Communications, and Charter Communications were among the large corporations impacted by the assault.

According to the study, the hackers broke into major network routers made by Cisco Systems and took advantage of security flaws in Fortinet’s devices.

Along with other companies like Lumen Technologies and T-Mobile, the networks of AT&T and Verizon were also attacked by the malware. China accused the U.S. of disseminating false information, but denied any participation.

The article also said that at a private meeting at the White House in late 2023, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told tech and telecom leaders that Chinese hackers may take down U.S. ports, electricity grids, and other vital infrastructure.

The intrusions were attributed to the cyber-espionage outfit Volt Typhoon, which has ties to China. For the first time last week, AT&T and Verizon admitted to the assaults, stating that government and law enforcement assistance had made their networks safe.

According to Lumen, no customer data was stolen, and no attackers are still within its systems. T-Mobile affirmed that it had effectively thwarted recent efforts at penetration and safeguarded private client data.

Verizon revealed that a select few prominent customers, mostly in the political and governmental spheres, were singled out and alerted. Vandana Venkatesh, Chief Legal Officer, said that “Verizon has contained the incident.”

Fortinet and Cisco, however, chose not to comment. According to earlier allegations, Volt Typhoon also targeted people associated with Donald Trump’s and Kamala Harris’ presidential campaigns.