Hacker

Tokyo, Japan — The Japanese government has publicly attributed over 200 cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure and sensitive government data to the Chinese hacking group MirrorFace, also known as Earth Kasha. The National Police Agency (NPA) and the National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) detailed the five-year campaign in a recent report, highlighting the sophisticated tactics employed by the threat actors.

MirrorFace, believed to be a subgroup of the Chinese state-sponsored hacking collective APT10, utilized a range of techniques, including phishing emails with enticing subjects like “Japan-US alliance” and “Taiwan Strait” to lure targets into downloading malicious attachments. The attackers also demonstrated advanced evasion tactics, such as executing malware within the Windows Sandbox to avoid detection by antivirus software.

Targets: The campaign targeted a wide range of entities, including:

• Government agencies: Defense Ministry, Foreign Ministry, National Security Secretariat

• Defense organizations:

• Space research centers: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

• Private companies: Involved in advanced technologies

Impact: The goal of these attacks was to steal sensitive information related to Japan’s national security and technological advancements, potentially impacting national defense, economic competitiveness, and diplomatic relations.

Response: The Japanese government has issued a strong warning to organizations and individuals about the ongoing threat. The NPA emphasized the need for robust cybersecurity measures, including:

• Employee training: To identify and avoid phishing attempts.

• Regular security audits: To identify and patch vulnerabilities.

• Multi-factor authentication: To enhance account security.

Implications: This sustained cyber espionage campaign underscores the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks in the digital age. China, like other major powers, is likely to continue utilizing cyber capabilities to advance its national interests, including intelligence gathering, economic disruption, and political influence.

Sources:

• Japan links Chinese hacker MirrorFace to dozens of cyberattacks targeting security and tech data — AP News

• Japan News: China-linked hackers carried out 210 cyberattacks on Japanese government agencies and companies, among others, since 2019, in an apparent attempt to steal confidential information related to security and advanced technology, according to the National Police Agency. 1

Disclaimer: This article provides an overview of the situation and does not constitute official policy or legal advice.

Tokyo, Japan — Japanese government ne over 200 cyberattacks ko Chinese hacking group MirrorFace, jo ki Earth Kasha ke naam se bhi jaana jaata hai, ke saath associate kiya hai. Yeh attacks critical infrastructure aur sensitive government data ko target karte hue kiye gaye the. National Police Agency (NPA) aur National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) ne apne recent report mein yeh bataya aur threat actors ke sophisticated tactics ko highlight kiya hai.

MirrorFace, jo ki Chinese state-sponsored hacking collective APT10 ka subgroup samjha jaata hai, ne kai techniques ka use kiya, jisme phishing emails bhi shamil thi. Yeh emails enticing subjects jaise “Japan-US alliance” aur “Taiwan Strait” ke saath target ko malicious attachments download karne ke liye lure karti thi. Attackers ne advanced evasion tactics bhi dikhayi, jaise Windows Sandbox mein malware ko execute karna, jisse antivirus software isse detect na kar sake.

Targets: Yeh campaign kai alag-alag entities ko target karta tha, jisme shamil the:

• Government agencies: Defense Ministry, Foreign Ministry, National Security Secretariat

• Defense organizations

• Space research centers: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

• Private companies jo advanced technologies mein involved thi

Impact: In attacks ka main goal sensitive information ko churaana tha, jo Japan ki national security aur technological advancements se related thi. Iska potential impact national defense, economic competitiveness aur diplomatic relations pe pad sakta tha.

Response: Japanese government ne organizations aur individuals ko is ongoing threat ke baare mein strong warning di hai. NPA ne emphasize kiya hai ki robust cybersecurity measures honi chahiye, jaise:

• Employee training: Phishing attempts ko identify aur avoid karne ke liye

• Regular security audits: Vulnerabilities ko identify aur patch karne ke liye

• Multi-factor authentication: Account security ko enhance karne ke liye

Implications: Yeh sustained cyber espionage campaign digital age mein state-sponsored cyberattacks ke growing threat ko dikhata hai. China, jaise baaki major powers, apni national interests ko aage badhane ke liye cyber capabilities ka use karta rahega, jisme intelligence gathering, economic disruption aur political influence shamil hai.

Sources:

• Japan links Chinese hacker MirrorFace to dozens of cyberattacks targeting security and tech data — AP News

• Japan News: China-linked hackers carried out 210 cyberattacks on Japanese government agencies and companies, among others, since 2019, in an apparent attempt to steal confidential information related to security and advanced technology, according to the National Police Agency.

Disclaimer: Yeh article situation ka overview deta hai aur official policy ya legal advice nahi hai.