Cybersecurity

Chinese Hacking Group, Quiet for Years, Resumes Global Attacks

  • APT20 likely behind espionage campaign, researchers say
  • Group stole passwords and bypassed two-factor authentication

Illustration: iStockphoto

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A Chinese government-linked hacking group that was thought to be dormant has been quietly targeting companies and government agencies for the last two years, harvesting data after stealing passwords and circumventing two-factor authentication intended to prevent such attacks, according to researchers.

Fox-IT, a security company based in the Netherlands, said in a report published Thursday that the group’s attacks have extended to 10 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany and Italy.