Australia hit by a massive cyber attack, reports hint China behind it
4 years, 6 months ago

Australia hit by a massive cyber attack, reports hint China behind it

Op India  

Australia is currently been targeted by a massive and “malicious” cyber-attack by a foreign government, Australian PM Scott Morrison said at the Parliament House, Friday. In an urgent press conference called this morning in Canberra, the Australian PM said that the ongoing large scale cyber attack on government as well as private institutions are being executed by a “sophisticated state-based cyber actor.” “This activity is targeting Australian organisations across a range of sectors, including all levels of government, industry, political organisations, education, health, essential service providers and operators of other critical infrastructure,” Morrison told reporters. Asked if China was to blame, the Prime Minister said that the “threshold to formally identify a state-based actor was high but the list of possible suspects was not long”. It read that last year, Australia’s main political parties and parliament were hit by a “malicious intrusion” on their computer networks carried out by a “sophisticated state actor”.

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History of this topic

Chinese embassy in Fiji rebukes ABC over cyber hack claim
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Chinese embassy in Fiji rebukes ABC over cyber hack claim

China Daily  

SUVA -- A report released by Australian Broadcasting Corporation saying "Chinese state-backed hackers attack Pacific Islands Forum " is "purely a made-up story and has no basis at all," the Chinese embassy in Fiji said in a statement on Thursday. "We have been resolute in combating all kinds of malign cyber activities in accordance with law, and never encourage, support …

US and UK accuse China of cyber espionage campaign affecting millions of people around world
9 months, 2 weeks ago

US and UK accuse China of cyber espionage campaign affecting millions of people around world

ABC  

In short: The US and UK say China is behind a worldwide cyber espionage campaign that has affected millions of people. Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia was not affected by the hacking but the federal government has "serious concerns about malicious cyber activities by China state-backed actors". US and British officials have filed charges, imposed sanctions, and called out …

Australia hosts China FM, sees 'stability' in ties
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Australia hosts China FM, sees 'stability' in ties

The Hindu  

China and Australia claimed to have stabilised long-strained relations after talks in Canberra on Wednesday, despite evident tensions over a high-profile prisoner, trade and a new crackdown in Hong Kong. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong praised renewed "stability" in relations and said it was crucial to recognise "how much progress we have made in a short period of time". An …

Australia says hacks surging, state-sponsored groups targeting critical infrastructure
1 year, 1 month ago

Australia says hacks surging, state-sponsored groups targeting critical infrastructure

The Hindu  

State- Reports of cybercrime surged 23% to more than 94,000 in the financial year to June, the Australian Cyber Security Centre said in its annual threat report on Wednesday. In May, the Five Eyes intelligence alliance and Microsoft said a state- Techniques used by the China hacking group could be used against Australia's critical infrastructure including telecommunications, energy and transportation, …

Vantage | Why Australia, China are trying to patch up
1 year, 2 months ago

Vantage | Why Australia, China are trying to patch up

Firstpost  

As Anthony Albanese seeks to reset ties with China, the resilience of this reset will be tested in the face of China’s expanding influence in the Pacific region and the delicate balance of power in the Asia-Pacific In recent years, the relationship between China and Australia has been marked by tension and strife. In response, China imposed a trade war …

China hits back over Five Eyes blame for US infrastructure cyber attack
1 year, 7 months ago

China hits back over Five Eyes blame for US infrastructure cyber attack

ABC  

China has hit back after Australia and other Five Eyes cyber agencies blamed it for recent cyber attacks targeting "critical infrastructure" in the United States. Key points: A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson described the Five Eyes advisory as "collective disinformation" lead by the US China called the US "the empire of hacking" in response to the Five Eyes claims Hackers …

Russian cyber attacks could inadvertently hit Australia, warns government cyber agency
2 years, 10 months ago

Russian cyber attacks could inadvertently hit Australia, warns government cyber agency

ABC  

Security experts say it is unlikely new financial sanctions placed on Russia will prompt a direct retaliation, but they warn there is a significant risk Australian firms could be caught up as collateral damage. Key points: Cyber agencies war businesses not to be complacent as Russian attacks escalate Experts do not expect Australia to be a target of Russian retaliation …

Down Under leaders minimize China spilt, urge virus probe
3 years, 7 months ago

Down Under leaders minimize China spilt, urge virus probe

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ardern said New Zealand maintained …

Australia-China Relations: The Great Debate
3 years, 8 months ago

Australia-China Relations: The Great Debate

The Diplomat  

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 gave new meaning to the term annus horribilis, resulting in millions of deaths, countless suffering, endless lockdowns, and socioeconomic crises the world over. As the year progressed, Australia-China relations plummeted to new lows, making the “deep freeze” of recent years seem almost balmy. A significant trigger was Canberra’s push for an independent inquiry into the …

Chinese Malware Attack: Centre Denies Report Even as Maha Minister Confirms it; China Calls Claim 'Fabrication'
3 years, 10 months ago

Chinese Malware Attack: Centre Denies Report Even as Maha Minister Confirms it; China Calls Claim 'Fabrication'

News 18  

China did not succeed in its attempt to cause power outages in India, even though their hackers did make an attempt to disrupt the power supply, Union Power ministry sources said on Monday, even as Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut confirmed that the power outage in Mumbai in October last year was caused by a cyberattack” and was an act …

WHO investigators have arrived in China for a COVID-19 origin probe. But they're already downplaying expectations
3 years, 11 months ago

WHO investigators have arrived in China for a COVID-19 origin probe. But they're already downplaying expectations

ABC  

There are two countries that have a lot riding on the long-awaited World Health Organisation investigation into the coronavirus origins. It was Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne who first called for an international investigation into the origins and response to COVID-19 back in April last year. And if you're wondering why we haven't heard much about the virus from Chinese …

Australian PM demands apology from China for sharing fake image
4 years, 1 month ago

Australian PM demands apology from China for sharing fake image

Op India  

Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia, is asking the Chinese Government to delete a tweet attacking the Australian Defence Force deployed in Afghanistan, saying that it is fake. The PM was referring to a tweet posted the Spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, Lijian Zhao, who had shared a fake image on his official Twitter account which allegedly showed an Australian …

Australia's trade clash with China is a lesson in what Beijing's power really means
4 years, 1 month ago

Australia's trade clash with China is a lesson in what Beijing's power really means

ABC  

Imagine for a moment the view from Beijing. When the Federal Government criticises China's detention of Uighur Muslims or the crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, it hears the echo of the "hundred years of national humiliation". It says: "China's economy is unique and is set to retain its pre-eminent role as the engine of global consumption growth post-pandemic". …

Australian officials respond angrily to fresh attacks from Chinese diplomat
4 years, 1 month ago

Australian officials respond angrily to fresh attacks from Chinese diplomat

ABC  

Australian officials have responded angrily after a Chinese diplomat in Canberra reeled off a long list of grievances and perceived slights in a fresh attack on the Federal Government. The document says Australia has unfairly blocked Chinese investment, spread "disinformation" about China's efforts to contain coronavirus, falsely accused Beijing of cyber-attacks, and engaged in "incessant wanton interference" in Hong Kong, …

Cyber attacks on Australia blurring the lines between peace and war, Defence Minister says
4 years, 4 months ago

Cyber attacks on Australia blurring the lines between peace and war, Defence Minister says

ABC  

Foreign government cyber-attacks on Australia have increased further since June, when Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed Australian organisations were under sustained digital assault. Key points: The Defence Minister says cyber attacks are blurring the lines between war and peace Cyber attacks on Australia have increased in recent months One spike in April was linked to "COVID-19-themed cybercrime" Defence Minister Linda …

Australia pushed for a WHO probe into coronavirus' origins — here's what the investigation is up to
4 years, 4 months ago

Australia pushed for a WHO probe into coronavirus' origins — here's what the investigation is up to

ABC  

Australia helped lead the push for an international investigation into the origins of the coronavirus, but in doing so hurt "the feelings of the Chinese people", one of China's most senior diplomats says. During a rare address at the National Press Club in Canberra, Wang Xining, the deputy head of mission at China's embassy in Australia, said China saw Australia's …

Et tu, Brute?: Envoy says Australia betrayed China by pushing for virus origin probe
4 years, 4 months ago

Et tu, Brute?: Envoy says Australia betrayed China by pushing for virus origin probe

Deccan Chronicle  

Canberra: A senior Chinese diplomat on Wednesday likened Australia's call for an inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic to the betrayal of Roman dictator Julius Caesar in a Shakespearean tragedy for the benefit of the United States. In describing Australia's action, Wang quoted the play “Julius Caesar” from a scene in which the dictator realizes that his friend Marcus Junius Brutus …

Australia to spend $1.2 billion on cyber security for private sector
4 years, 5 months ago

Australia to spend $1.2 billion on cyber security for private sector

Live Mint  

Australia will spend A$1.66 billion over the next 10 years to strengthen the cyber defences of companies and households after a rise in cyber attacks, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday. Cyber attacks on businesses and households are costing about A$29 billion $20.83 billion) or 1.5% of Australia's gross domestic product, Morrison told reporters in Canberra. Much of Australia's …

US, Australia team up to criticize China in Asia-Pacific
4 years, 5 months ago

US, Australia team up to criticize China in Asia-Pacific

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The United States and Australia are teaming up in their criticism of China, taking the country to task for aggressive behavior throughout the Asia-Pacific and not acting quickly to contain the coronavirus. The two sides — represented by Secretary of Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defense Minister Linda Reynolds — accused …

Australia escalates defences amid rising tensions with China
4 years, 6 months ago

Australia escalates defences amid rising tensions with China

Deccan Chronicle  

Brisbane: Australia announced an assertive new defence strategy Wednesday, beefing up its long-range strike capabilities and cyber-warfare efforts amid escalating tensions with China. Prime Minister Scott Morrison earmarked Aus$270 billion for new and upgraded defence capabilities over the next decade -- a nearly 40 percent increase -- saying the defence force would significantly shift its focus to projecting military power …

What is a cyber attack, what are the targets and who is behind them? Inside the hacking attacks bombarding Australia
4 years, 6 months ago

What is a cyber attack, what are the targets and who is behind them? Inside the hacking attacks bombarding Australia

ABC  

I'm sitting at the kitchen table, staring at my laptop screen and watching red dots pulse on a map of the world. Each represents a cyber attack underway on one of 12 strategically placed "honeypots'", but not the kind Winnie The Pooh would seek out. "There are markets for illegal arms and it's the same for cyber information," he says. …

China cyber attack claims are 'laughable nonsense', Australian Strategic Policy Institute says
4 years, 6 months ago

China cyber attack claims are 'laughable nonsense', Australian Strategic Policy Institute says

ABC  

An Australian defence think tank has rubbished Chinese claims that it is the only organisation suggesting China is behind cyber attacks on Australia. Key points: Peter Jennings said China's claim that ASPI was behind the hacking claims was "laughable nonsense" China also tried to discredit the organisation by revealing they received funding from Australian defence industry. There had been "a …

Scott Morrison's 'urgent' hacking warning shot shows Australia won't shy away from China's cyber attacks
4 years, 6 months ago

Scott Morrison's 'urgent' hacking warning shot shows Australia won't shy away from China's cyber attacks

ABC  

Brazen and broad-scale, Beijing's cyber intrusions in Australia are becoming a threat to sovereignty and could undermine national resilience. Morrison didn't name China, but government sources quickly confirmed that Beijing's large teams of cyber intruders were being blamed by Australian agencies. Head of the ANU's National Security College, Rory Medcalf, says calling out the cyber attacks without naming the offender …

Australia hit by 'sophisticated' cyber attacks, Indian firms may be on list: A look at why China could be the prime suspect
4 years, 6 months ago

Australia hit by 'sophisticated' cyber attacks, Indian firms may be on list: A look at why China could be the prime suspect

Firstpost  

China has, in recent weeks, banned beef exports from Australia’s largest abattoirs, ended trade in Australian barley with a tariff wall and warned its citizens against visiting Australia. The 2019 Worldwide Threats Assessment put together by Dan Coats, the former Director of National Intelligence, found that China “presents a persistent cyber espionage threat and a growing attack threat to our …

Australia says an unnamed state is increasing cyberattacks on its infrastructure, businesses
4 years, 6 months ago

Australia says an unnamed state is increasing cyberattacks on its infrastructure, businesses

LA Times  

“A sophisticated state-based cyber actor” is targeting Australia in an escalating cyber campaign that is threatening all levels of government, businesses, essential services and critical infrastructure, the Australian prime minister said Friday. Morrison said that “Australia doesn’t engage lightly in public attribution” but that he couldn’t control speculation about who was responsible for the cyber campaign. Defense Minister Linda Reynolds …

What we know about the 'sophisticated, state-based' cyber attack on Australia
4 years, 6 months ago

What we know about the 'sophisticated, state-based' cyber attack on Australia

ABC  

Every level of Australian government is currently under attack by hackers. "This activity is targeting Australian organisations across a range of sectors, including all levels of government, industry, political organisations, education, health, essential service providers and operators of other critical infrastructure," Mr Morrison said. When asked if the attacks had intensified in the past week or month, Mr Morrison said …

China believed to be behind major cyber attack on Australian governments and businesses
4 years, 6 months ago

China believed to be behind major cyber attack on Australian governments and businesses

ABC  

Federal Government agencies believe that China is the nation behind ongoing cyber attacks on Australian institutions, including hospitals and state-owned utilities, in recent months. Key points: China is believed to be behind the wide-ranging attacks on Australian governments and businesses The Prime Minister says there have not been large-scale personal data breaches The Government will not say publicly which state …

Why China is being blamed for cyber attacks on Australia, and what its hackers might be looking for
4 years, 6 months ago

Why China is being blamed for cyber attacks on Australia, and what its hackers might be looking for

ABC  

After the Government's announcement today of malicious state-backed cyber activity directed at Australia, some have pointed the finger at China. Key points: Government sources have told the ABC that China is likely behind the sustained cyber attack One expert says there has been increased espionage activity looking to extract material related to COVID-19 Australian organisations are advised to patch or …

'Cyber attacks' point to China's spy agency, Ministry of State Security, as Huawei payback, say former Australian officials
4 years, 6 months ago

'Cyber attacks' point to China's spy agency, Ministry of State Security, as Huawei payback, say former Australian officials

ABC  

"Cyber attacks" on Australian government and industry bodies are most likely being directed by China's premier intelligence agency in retaliation for banning telco Huawei from the 5G network, experts have told the ABC. Key points: The Prime Minister held a press conference this morning to discuss a campaign of "cyber attacks" from a "state-based cyber actor" It has been hard …

Australia and China's relationship has become tetchy over the past two months. Here's how we got to this point
4 years, 7 months ago

Australia and China's relationship has become tetchy over the past two months. Here's how we got to this point

ABC  

Australia's relationship with China appears increasingly rocky by the day following China's alert to citizens urging them not to travel to Australia. "Australia does not believe that the decision China's made is justified or defensible in accordance with anti-dumping practices," Mr Birmingham said, who added he had still not heard from China's Commerce Minister Zhong Shan. Victoria's deal has attracted …

Coronavirus: China ignores calls to ease trade tension, says Australia
4 years, 7 months ago

Coronavirus: China ignores calls to ease trade tension, says Australia

India Today  

Australia urged China on Sunday to respond to its requests to discuss easing tensions between the two trading partners after Canberra called for an international enquiry into the origins of the novel coronavirus. China, accusing Australia of playing "petty tricks", has recently suspended beef imports from four of Australia's largest meat processors and is considering imposing hefty tariffs on imports …

Cyber attacks on Australian businesses on the rise but experts not blaming state actors
4 years, 7 months ago

Cyber attacks on Australian businesses on the rise but experts not blaming state actors

ABC  

It used to be a business needed a lock on its door and a CCTV camera to protect against criminals, now experts say they need to invest in security they cannot see. Key points: A number of Australian businesses have been the target of attacks in recent weeks Cyber experts think it is "unlikely" attacks are connected Increase globally of …

How China 'used Word document to launch potentially devastating cyber-attack' on Western Australia
4 years, 8 months ago

How China 'used Word document to launch potentially devastating cyber-attack' on Western Australia

Daily Mail  

Chinese hackers have reportedly attempted a potentially devastating and highly-sophisticated cyber-attack on the office of the Western Australian premier. Cyber-security company Check Point said the hackers - known as Naikon - targeted a worker in Mark McGowan's office using a file which appeared to be an innocuous Microsoft Word document. The data intelligence experts from Israel did not claim Naikon …

China-Australia rift deepens over calls for virus inquiry
4 years, 8 months ago

China-Australia rift deepens over calls for virus inquiry

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — China’s warning of trade repercussions from Australia’s campaign for an independent inquiry into the coronavirus has rattled Australian business leaders as President Donald Trump’s administration urges other governments to back such a probe. Cheng said he told Adamson to “put aside ideological bias” and “stop political games.” U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attacked China’s coercion and …

Chinese media accuses Indian hackers of staging cyberattacks using coronavirus as lure
4 years, 11 months ago

Chinese media accuses Indian hackers of staging cyberattacks using coronavirus as lure

India TV News  

Chinese internet security company 360 Security Technology has accused Indian hackers of breaking into its systems by using the novel coronavirus as “lure” to target the Chinese medical sphere, China’s state-backed media reported on Friday. A report in China’s state-backed Global Times claimed that an Indian hackers’ group, BITTER, was behind advanced cyber-attacks on China’s government agencies and companies, including …

Australia probes ‘deeply disturbing’ claims of China interference
5 years, 1 month ago

Australia probes ‘deeply disturbing’ claims of China interference

Al Jazeera  

Australia’s spy agency says taking seriously allegations China tried to bankroll businessman’s bid for Parliament seat. Australia‘s domestic spy agency is investigating whether China tried to install an agent in its federal parliament in what Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday called “deeply disturbing” allegations. “I find the allegations deeply disturbing and troubling,” Morrison told reporters in Canberra, adding the …

Australia is a growing target for cyber attackers — but is it a hacker itself?
5 years, 10 months ago

Australia is a growing target for cyber attackers — but is it a hacker itself?

ABC  

Recent revelations that Australia's political parties were the target of a sophisticated cyber attack reflects a growing global trend. Its Cyber Operations Tracker identified 50 such cyber attacks in 2018, including an attack on the Australian National University, which was suspected of being directed by the Chinese government. China, Russia and Iran are the states most commonly suspected of sponsoring …

Scott Morrison reveals foreign government hackers targeted Liberal, Labor and National parties in attack on Parliament's servers
5 years, 10 months ago

Scott Morrison reveals foreign government hackers targeted Liberal, Labor and National parties in attack on Parliament's servers

ABC  

Australia's major political parties have been targeted during a cyber attack by a foreign government on the Australian Parliament's servers. Key points: The Liberal, Labor and National parties were targeted in the February 8 attack Authorities are yet to detect any evidence of electoral interference from the hack PM Scott Morrison says a "sophisticated state actor" is responsible But Prime …

Suspicion falls on China after cyber attack on Australian Parliament — and it's not surprising
5 years, 11 months ago

Suspicion falls on China after cyber attack on Australian Parliament — and it's not surprising

ABC  

It took less than an hour after the first report of a cyber attack on the Australian Parliament for suspicion to fall on China. Australia's security agencies are now investigating whether Beijing was behind a "sophisticated" cyber breach, which may have exposed the parliament's computer system to foreign hackers. Cybersecurity breach Agencies are investigating whether China is behind a security …

China link possible in cyber attack on Australian Parliament computer system, ABC understands
5 years, 11 months ago

China link possible in cyber attack on Australian Parliament computer system, ABC understands

ABC  

Australia's security agencies are investigating a cyber breach of the Federal Parliament's computer network that the ABC understands is likely the result of a foreign government attack. Key points: Authorities are yet to uncover any evidence that data was stolen in the breach Computer passwords were reset as a precaution as investigations continue The hackers were caught in the early …

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