Iranian, Chinese hackers resume attacks on U.S agencies, businesses

(Image credit: Nicholas Kamm/ Getty Images)

last updated 18 February 2019

Iranian and Chinese hackers appear to have resumed attacks on U.S. businesses and government agencies, The New York Times reported Monday.

The recent targets of Chinese spies included Boeing, General Electric Aviation, and T-Mobile, according to an intelligence briefing summary read to the Times. The report notes that it's not clear whether the hacking attempts were successful.

Security experts believe that the hackers stepped up their efforts after President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal last year, and as trade tensions escalated with China. Iran's recent attacks have been broader than previously reported, targeting U.S. banks, businesses, and government agencies and prompting the Department of Homeland Security to declare an emergency order during last month's government shutdown.

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Intelligence officials also told the Times that a 2015 agreement between former President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping meant to put an end to the hacking of trade secrets seems to have been "unofficially canceled" as the Chinese hacking has "returned to earlier levels." A counterintelligence expert said, "Cyber is one of the ways adversaries can attack us and retaliate in effective and nasty ways that are well below the threshold of an armed attack or laws of war."

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Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.

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