9 Targets Hacked By Chinese Cyberspies

Today, The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will hold a subcommittee hearing to determine the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) vulnerabilities to cyber security attacks from foreign governments, specifically China. Below is a list of 9 targets hit by China’s state-sponsored hackers, putting America’s national security and intellectual property rights at risk.

The Pentagon and American Weapons Systems

The Washington Post reports that Chinese hackers obtained designs for many of America’s most sensitive advanced weapons systems. (Ellen Nakashima, “Confidential report lists U.S. weapons system designs compromised by Chinese cyberspies,” Washington Post, 5/27/2013)

American Infrastructure, Water Treatment Plants, and Power Grids

Chinese hackers target American infrastructure projects in cyber espionage attacks. (“Report: Chinese Hacking US Banks, Power Grid,” ABC News, 2/19/2013)

Congressional Offices

Chinese cyberspies hacked congressional offices. (Craig Timberg and Ellen Nakashima, “Chinese cyberspies have hacked most Washington institutions, experts say,” Washington Post, 2/20/2013)

Banks

Hackers sponsored by the Chinese government have hacked America’s largest banks. (Halimah Abdullah, “Watch where you click: International cyber attacks on the rise,” CNN, 5/12/2013)

Tech Firms

Chinese hackers “gained access to a secret database with information containing data about U.S. surveillance targets” in 2010. (Matt Egan, “Report: China Hackers Targeted Spy Info in Google Attack,” FOX Business, 5/21/2013)

Media Outlets

Chinese state-sponsored hackers “for years have targeted major U.S. media companies with hacking that has penetrated inside newsgathering systems.” (Siobhan Gorman, Devlin Barrett and Danny Yadron, “Chinese Hackers Hit U.S. Media,” Wall Street Journal, 1/31/2013)

Defense Contractors

Chinese hackers have stolen government secrets from defense contractors. (“Report: Chinese Hacking US Banks, Power Grid,” ABC News, 2/19/2013)

Energy Companies

Sensitive data from several multinational oil companies was stolen by Chinese Hackers over the years. (Mark Clayton, “Report: Chinese hackers targeted big oil companies, stole data,” Christian Science Monitor, 2/10/201)

Human Rights Groups

Chinese cyberspies have hacked human rights groups. (Craig Timberg and Ellen Nakashima, “Chinese cyberspies have hacked most Washington institutions, experts say,” Washington Post, 2/20/2013)