Chinese hackers have infiltrated over 260,000 internet-connected devices globally, including routers, firewalls, and smart gadgets, to create a botnet capable of launching cyberattacks.
The operation mainly targeted North America and Europe, with more than 126,000 infected devices in the U.S. and 18.900 in Germany. These compromised devices have been organised into a botnet controlled by Integrity Technology Group, a China-based company with alleged ties to the Chinese government, since mid-2021.
A botnet like this can be used to launch DDoS attacks, where compromised devices flood a network with excessive traffic, causing servers to slow down, crash, or become unavailable to legitimate users.
Authorities urge owners of vulnerable devices to update their software to counter the threat.
What-to-do’s
Make sure to check off all actions, this will have a positive effect on your Behavioural Risk Score.
Lessons learned
This large-scale attack shows that any internet-connected device can be exploited if left unprotected. From personal webcams to corporate routers, smart devices are increasingly used in cyberattacks. Strong cyber security measures are not optional but essential.
