International cyber agencies on Thursday (23 April) urged organisations to strengthen defences against covert networks used by China-linked hackers to conceal malicious activity, Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said.
The NCSC published the new guidance alongside industry partners and 15 international agencies from eight countries: the U.S., Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain.
Covert networks - typically made up of vulnerable, everyday internet-connected devices such as home routers and smart devices - are used to target critical sectors globally, steal sensitive data and maintain persistent access.
"In recent years, we have seen a deliberate shift in cyber groups based in China utilising these networks to hide their malicious activity in an attempt to avoid accountability," NCSC Director of Operations Paul Chichester said in a statement.
The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The new guidance - jointly issued with agencies including the U.S.’s Federal Bureau of Investigation - warns that attacks can be difficult to detect because evidence can disappear quickly, complicating efforts to disrupt such activity.
The advisory comes a day after Richard Horne, head of the NCSC, warned Britain to brace for a rise in cyberattacks directly or indirectly linked to nation states, including China, Iran and Russia.
He said his agency continued to handle about four nationally significant cyber incidents a week on average, adding that the most severe attacks were increasingly tied to governments rather than criminal groups alone.
Britain has also called on leading AI companies to work with the government to develop AI-powered cyber-defence capabilities aimed at protecting critical national infrastructure.
The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Don...
Afghanistan and Türkiye are considering a tourism agreement to promote historic and religious sites, ease travel and train tourism workers, Afghan au...
Pakistan has allowed a United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) aid convoy to enter Afghanistan through the Torkham border crossing, granting a rare ...
The UK has announced a fresh round of sanctions against individuals and organisations it says are responsible for cyber attacks and hybrid operations linked to Russian intelligence, in a move aimed at countering efforts to destabilise Europe.
Hackers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to detect software vulnerabilities, reducing the time organisations have to respond to cyber threats, Verizon said in its annual data breach report.
Apple and Meta have publicly opposed a Canadian bill they say could force technology companies to weaken encryption on devices and online services if it becomes law.
Uzbekistan is considering new measures that would make banks and payment organisations legally responsible for financial losses caused by cybercrime if those losses stem from weak cybersecurity.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 13th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway.
Around 500 soldiers from countries supporting Ukraine marched down Paris's Champs-Élysées during France's annual Bastille Day parade. France said the procession, which also included 25 Ukrainian soldiers, demonstrated that Europe was ready to respond to growing international threats.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday that its Navy had struck U.S. military barracks, a satellite communications centre and a Patriot missile battery in Bahrain, while its Aerospace Force targeted an airbase in Jordan.
A newly introduced refereeing protocol has intensified debate over fairness at the FIFA World Cup, with another controversial decision involving defending champions Argentina fuelling criticism from fans and former officials.
A United Nations official has accused Hamas of interfering with humanitarian aid distribution in the Gaza Strip, adding further pressure on civilians already facing severe shortages and worsening living conditions.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment