Chinese Hackers Target Phones of Donald Trump and JD Vance
In Washington, DC, hackers linked to the Chinese government have targeted the phone communications of former US President Donald Trump and Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance. This cyber-espionage activity is part of a broader campaign aimed at high-level US targets. The Chinese hackers also targeted senior Biden administration officials, according to sources.
US officials informed Trump’s campaign about the targeting. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized the Harris campaign for allegedly encouraging China. It remains unclear what information, if any, the hackers obtained.
The FBI and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are investigating the unauthorized access to telecommunications infrastructure by actors affiliated with China. They have notified affected companies and provided technical assistance.
The New York Times first reported the hacking, which is part of a larger Chinese campaign infiltrating US telecommunications companies. Investigators believe the hackers aim to access sensitive national security information. However, there is no indication they sought data on Trump and Vance related to US law enforcement.
The hackers targeted major US broadband and internet providers like AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen. The Chinese government has denied the allegations. This development occurs as China, Iran, and Russia continue efforts to influence or monitor US elections.
Doubts Revealed
Chinese Hackers -: These are people who use computers to break into other people’s computers or phones without permission. They are believed to be connected to the Chinese government.
Donald Trump -: He was the President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He is a well-known political figure in the US.
JD Vance -: He is a politician in the United States and was a nominee for Vice President. He is also known for writing a book called ‘Hillbilly Elegy’.
Cyber-espionage -: This is when someone uses computers to secretly gather information from other people or organizations, often for political or military reasons.
FBI -: The Federal Bureau of Investigation is a government agency in the United States that investigates crimes and protects the country from threats.
CISA -: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is a part of the US government that works to protect the country’s computer networks and infrastructure from cyber threats.
Biden administration -: This refers to the current government of the United States, led by President Joe Biden, who took office in January 2021.
Telecommunications infrastructure -: This includes all the systems and equipment that allow people to communicate over long distances, like phone lines and internet networks.