US Charges 12 in Chinese Hacker Network, Offers $10M Reward

The US Department of Justice has announced a major crackdown on a sophisticated Chinese hacker network, charging 12 individuals with various crimes related to cyber attacks and data breaches. The operation, which was months in the making, has resulted in significant disruptions to the hackers' operations and has sent a strong message to those who would seek to exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain.

The hackers, who were linked to the China-based company ZTE Corporation, had been using a backdoor account to gain unauthorized access to over 100,000 Zyxel Firewalls and VPN Gateways worldwide. This allowed them to compromise sensitive data and disrupt critical infrastructure, putting national security and economic interests at risk.

The US government has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the identification and prosecution of those involved in this operation. The rewards program is designed to incentivize individuals who possess knowledge about the hackers' activities and are willing to come forward with that information.

According to officials, the hackers were using advanced techniques, including zero-day exploits and social engineering tactics, to infiltrate networks and steal sensitive data. The targets of their attacks included government agencies, private companies, and individuals, making them a significant threat to national security and global stability.

The US government has also taken steps to prevent similar attacks in the future. ZTE Corporation has agreed to pay a $1 billion penalty to settle charges related to its involvement with the hackers, and the company has implemented new security measures to protect against future breaches.

As part of the operation, law enforcement agencies have also seized assets and equipment linked to the hackers, including servers, malware, and other tools used in their attacks. These seizures have helped disrupt the hackers' operations and have made it more difficult for them to continue their activities.

The US Department of Justice has welcomed the cooperation of international partners, including Canada, Taiwan, and the UK, which were also affected by the hackers' attacks. The joint effort demonstrates the global nature of cyber threats and highlights the importance of international collaboration in combating these crimes.