TAO has conducted over 10,000 cyberattacks on Chinese targets

According to investigations by China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center, the NSA's Office of Tailored Access Operations (TAO) has launched tens of thousands of malicious cyberattacks targeting Chinese entities over recent years. In one significant incident involving Northwestern Polytechnical University, TAO infiltrated the institution's networks and took control of tens of thousands of network devices, including critical servers. This operation resulted in the theft of more than 140 GB of sensitive data.

The scale of these operations demonstrates sophisticated cyber capabilities deployed against Chinese targets. TAO's attack methods involved deploying advanced cyber weapons, including tools like "Suctionchar," which worked in conjunction with other malicious components such as Bvp47. The investigation revealed that these attacks specifically targeted sensitive information, with stolen personal data belonging to individuals with sensitive identities on the Chinese mainland.

The sustained nature of these campaigns highlights the persistent threat posed by state-sponsored cyber operations, with implications extending beyond individual institutions to national security infrastructure including network communications systems, financial networks, and power supply facilities.

TAO used 41 specialized cyberweapons against Northwestern Polytechnical University

According to investigations conducted by China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and cybersecurity firm 360, the NSA-affiliated TAO division deployed a sophisticated arsenal of 41 specialized cyberweapons to target Northwestern Polytechnical University. These customized tools were utilized to execute over 10,000 malicious cyberattacks against the institution, with some reports indicating more than 1,000 separate cyber theft operations.

The scope of this campaign reveals alarming capabilities in advanced persistent threat operations. Among the identified weapons was Suctionchar, often deployed alongside other Trojan components including Bvp47, enabling persistent access to critical systems. The attackers successfully exfiltrated substantial volumes of high-value technical data, targeting core technologies central to China's military research capabilities.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson condemned these cyberattacks and demanded the United States provide explanations and cease such unlawful activities. The incident underscores significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities in critical research infrastructure and demonstrates the scale at which nation-state actors can orchestrate coordinated digital operations. The discovery of such a comprehensive toolset highlights the sophisticated technical capabilities required for large-scale espionage campaigns targeting sensitive military research institutions globally.

Over 140GB of high-value data stolen from Chinese networks

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According to the joint investigation conducted by China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center (CVERC) and cybersecurity firm 360, the NSA's Tailored Access Operations (TAO) unit infiltrated Northwestern Polytechnical University's networks and compromised tens of thousands of network devices. The breach resulted in the theft of over 140 gigabytes of high-value data, representing one of the most significant cyber intrusions targeting Chinese institutions in recent years.

The stolen data encompasses multiple critical categories. The compromised information includes network management data, personal information of sensitive-identity individuals, and core intellectual property related to military research conducted at the university. CVERC's analysis reveals that TAO leveraged sophisticated cyber-attack platforms, zero-day vulnerabilities, and controlled network devices to maintain persistent access to university systems.

This incident represents merely the tip of the iceberg. According to CVERC's findings, TAO has conducted tens of thousands of malicious cyber attacks against China's domestic network targets and controlled extensive infrastructure across Chinese networks. The scale and sophistication of these operations demonstrate a coordinated, long-term campaign targeting critical Chinese entities. The theft of 140GB of data from a single institution underscores the severe vulnerability of critical research facilities to state-sponsored cyber operations and highlights the growing threat posed by advanced persistent threat actors operating with state resources and capabilities.

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