Washington—US authorities have seized control of several
internet domains that, according to a federal investigation, were allegedly
used by hackers linked to China to carry out espionage operations and attacks
against sensitive US networks.
The action was announced Tuesday as part of an operation to
disrupt the digital infrastructure used by the alleged attackers, who
reportedly targeted government agencies and sectors considered strategic to
national security.
According to authorities, the seized domains functioned as
part of a network that allowed cybercriminals to conceal the origin of their
activities and maintain communication with compromised systems.
The operation represents an attempt by US law enforcement to
cut off the tools used in intrusion campaigns that, according to Washington,
have affected public institutions and companies related to critical
infrastructure for years.
In recent months, U.S. authorities have intensified their
efforts to identify and neutralize networks used in cyber espionage operations
attributed to actors linked to the Chinese government.
The Department of Justice and other federal agencies have
indicated that these campaigns pose a threat to both government information and
critical sectors, including energy, telecommunications, finance, and utilities.
Seizing the domains will allow authorities to prevent their
continued use by the suspected operators and, at the same time, obtain
information that could help identify those responsible.
The U.S. government is thus maintaining pressure on the
hacking networks it attributes to China, while warning that protecting digital
infrastructure has become an increasingly important component of national
security.