Post by : Badri Ariffin

A hacking group identified as Salt Typhoon has compromised the email systems utilized by staff members of several influential committees in the US House of Representatives, as per sources familiar with the situation.

Access was reportedly gained to the email accounts of staffers from the House China Committee, as well as aides linked to committees overseeing foreign affairs, intelligence, and military operations. The affected staff members' identities have not been revealed.

The cyber breach was identified in December, but it is still unclear if the emails of US lawmakers were directly accessed during this incident.

China has vehemently rejected the claims, with an embassy spokesperson labeling them as unfounded. Meanwhile, US officials, including the FBI, chose not to comment. The White House and the relevant committees have not provided immediate responses.

Members of Congress and their aides, especially those involved in military and intelligence oversight, have long been prime targets for foreign cyber attacks. Previous incidents underscore the persistent vulnerabilities within government communications.

The Salt Typhoon group has previously raised alarms among US intelligence entities, accused of harvesting extensive data from American communications and intercepting discussions involving high-ranking US officials. China has continuously refuted any involvement in such cyber operations.

In the previous year, the US imposed sanctions on a suspected hacker and a cybersecurity company based in China for alleged ties to the Salt Typhoon activities.

#Global News