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China Behind Massive Cyberattack on U.S. Telecoms, Officials Recommend Encryption

Maggie Johnson

By Maggie Johnson

December 4, 2024

In the face of a devastating cyberattack on prominent telecommunications companies like AT&T and Verizon, U.S. officials are urgently advising Americans to use encrypted messaging apps to protect their communications from foreign hackers.

The hacking campaign, dubbed Salt Typhoon by Microsoft, is one of the most significant intelligence breaches in U.S. history and remains unresolved. During a news call on Tuesday, officials refrained from providing a timeline for when the country's telecommunications systems would be fully secured. Sources confirmed that China was behind the attacks, targeting AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies to spy on customers.

However, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, a key diplomatic channel between the two countries, did not immediately comment on the allegations.

During the call, two officials — a senior FBI representative, who asked to remain anonymous, and Jeff Greene, Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) — both strongly recommended that Americans use encrypted messaging services. This proactive measure can greatly minimize the risk of China intercepting communications, giving individuals greater control over their privacy and security.

Greene stated, "Our suggestion, which we've shared internally, is simple: Encryption is your friend. Whether it's text messages or encrypted voice communication, encryption ensures it remains unreadable even if the adversary intercepts the data."

The FBI official added, "For those seeking to protect their mobile communications further, we recommend using phones that receive timely software updates, employ responsible encryption, and use phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication for email, social media, and collaboration accounts."

Greene said the scope of the telecom breach is vast, making it "impossible" to predict when agencies can entirely eliminate intruders.

Hackers accessed three main types of information, the FBI official explained. First, they targeted call records, or metadata, showing the numbers dialed and the time of calls, particularly around Washington, D.C. The FBI clarified that individuals whose metadata was compromised would not be notified.

Second, the hackers gained access to live phone calls of select targets. The official declined to specify how many alerts had been issued but noted that several high-profile targets, including the presidential campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's office, had been informed of the breach. This underscores the potential impact of the cyberattack on the upcoming elections, making the situation even more serious.

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