China's Aerospace University Targets Cyber Attack, US NSA Accuses

Phishing attacks have plagued China for years. (photo: doc. pixabay)

JAKARTA - The email system of a university in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, known for its aviation, aerospace and navigation studies, was recently attacked by an overseas hacker group. This description appeared the university. They have also reported the case to the local police for further investigation.

According to Northwestern Polytechnical University in a statement, cited by the Global Times, hackers and criminals from abroad were caught sending phishing emails with a Trojan horse program to teachers and students at the university. Phishing program, trying to steal their personal data and information, Wednesday, June 22.

Cybersecurity analysts told the Global Times that attacking a university critical to aviation, aerospace and navigation research and studies by a foreign hacker group is only the tip of the iceberg of hacking by foreign forces. The reason is that the main industry is related to China, whose security system has often been targeted by others for years.

The university's increased defense capabilities have prevented the data leak this time. But it is only a warning to Chinese institutions to further increase their vigilance in the face of deliberate hacking, especially anti-Chinese forces.

The police report did not reveal which country the hackers were in. But for a long time, groups such as the US National Security Agency (NSA) have launched large-scale network attacks around the world for intelligence gathering purposes, and China has been one of the main victims.

To find out more facts, the university said it had reported the case to public security.

According to a police statement issued by the Beilin Public Security Bureau in Xi'an on Thursday, June 23, a police station on Xi'an Taibai Street received a report on April 12 at around 3 pm.

The attacks attempted to lure teachers and students into clicking links to phishing emails with a Trojan horse program, with themes involving scientific evaluation, thesis defense, and information about overseas travel, in order to obtain their email login details.

The police statement said that "the cyberattack poses a major security threat to the university's information systems and key data of teachers and students."

Evidence has been obtained and the Beilin Public Security Bureau has filed a case in accordance with article 285 of the Criminal Code. Initial technical evaluations suggest the attack was launched by hackers from abroad.

Xi'an-based Northwestern Polytechnic University is known for its studies and research on aviation, aerospace and navigation. It is funded by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

US Becomes Accused

The US government has long viewed the university as a thorn in its side, and has put it on a sanctions blacklist. Even accused him of threatening US national security.

According to the university, the attack has so far not caused a major data leak for the university, but still represents a major risk.

Qin An, head of the Beijing-based Institute of China Cyberspace Strategy, told the Global Times on Thursday, June 23, that successful defense against cyberattacks by universities illustrates the increasing awareness of cybersecurity and capacity to defend against cyberattacks. Especially, as the country maps out measures to counter attacks by foreign forces that have been deliberately targeting China for years.

The university said that it has paid great attention to cyberattacks, with the implementation of regular cybersecurity inspections and technical monitoring, as well as increased sensitivity among teachers and students to cybersecurity.

The university reserves the right to take legal action, and will take steps to establish a strong network security barrier and protect the legitimate rights and interests of teachers and students, he said.

Qin said the attack was not a coincidence, but only the tip of the iceberg of a widespread attack on China. These attacks tend to be more complex in method and more targeted, especially in many areas of the country involving national security.

For years, China has been the main victim of cyber attacks. Data obtained by the Global Times from security firms reveals details of more than 2,700 advanced cyberattacks by at least 40 high-profile overseas hacking organizations against China in recent years, aimed at industry, government, universities and medical institutions.

A report previously obtained by Global Times from the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center revealed that China captured a spy tool used by the US NSA, which was able to hide on victims' computers to access sensitive information and was found to have taken control of global internet equipment and stolen vast amounts of information. user.

The police remind the public that cybersecurity is no small matter. Individuals and organizations have the right to report cases to the police in accordance with the country's cybersecurity laws. Public security organs will severely crack down on illegal behavior.