A Chinese hacker linked to the Chinese Ministry of State Security was arrested in Italy for cyberattacks targeting U.S. institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. These attacks aimed to steal sensitive vaccine research and involved the Hafnium group, also known as Silk Typhoon, affecting thousands of U.S. entities. #Hafnium #SilkTyphoon #ChineseCyberespionage #COVID19Research
Keypoints
- Xu Zewei, a Chinese national, was arrested in Italy for cyber espionage activities linked to U.S. targets.
- The hacker was accused of working under China’s MSS and SSSB to conduct cyber intrusions on U.S. institutions.
- The cyberattacks focused on stealing COVID-19 vaccine research and targeted U.S. universities and research labs.
- Xu was involved in Hafnium’s campaigns, which exploited zero-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Servers.
- He faces up to 77 years in prison if convicted, with his co-conspirator still at large.
Read More: https://therecord.media/chinese-national-arrested-italy-hafnium-covid