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Cybersecurity
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FBI Hunts Salt Typhoon – And Announced a Remarkable $10 Million Reward!

FBI Sets Record Bounty on China’s Cyber Attackers

Salt Typhoon, one of the most dangerous Chinese hacker groups, has been making headlines in the international cybersecurity scene for months. With sophisticated cyberattacks on US telecommunications companies and critical infrastructure, the group has not only stolen data but also seriously threatened US national security.

The FBI has announced a remarkable $10 Million Reward for anyone who provides information leading to the identification or capture of Salt Typhoon members – marking one of the highest bounties ever offered for cybercriminals.

This article was created using AI.

How Salt Typhoon Operates

For instance, a notable attack attributed to Salt Typhoon involved the manipulation of a zero-day vulnerability in a popular router model, enabling the group to intercept communications undetected. This incident exemplifies how even minor oversights in security protocols can lead to significant breaches, necessitating continuous vigilance and updates to security measures.

The advanced persistent threat (APT) group Salt Typhoon, also known as GhostEmperor, FamousSparrow, or UNC2286, specifically targets vulnerabilities in network infrastructure such as Cisco systems to gain access to telecommunications companies. Particularly concerning: the attackers compromised systems designed for court-ordered surveillance, allowing them to access sensitive communication data. According to current assessments and theses from US authorities, the attackers gained access to data from government officials and numerous US citizens – including sensitive communications data.

Read more: Chinese Cyberattack on US Telecom Providers: A New Chapter in Digital Warfare

Why Salt Typhoon Is So Dangerous

  • State-sponsored: The group operates on behalf of Chinese authorities and uses top-level resources.
  • Technically advanced: Zero-day exploits, anti-forensic techniques, and custom malware ensure maximum stealth.
  • Global targets: In addition to the US, companies and agencies worldwide are in the hackers’ sights.
  • Long-term infiltration: Salt Typhoon often remains undetected for months, allowing them to exfiltrate large volumes of data.

Read more: Cyber Threat Dividing Superpowers and Endangering Global Networks

The FBI Reward: $10 Million for Crucial Information

Tips can be submitted anonymously via the FBI, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Signal, or even the dark web – a clear attempt to reach informants in China as well.

“The FBI is particularly interested in tips that help uncover the identities or infrastructure of the perpetrators. Those who provide crucial information can not only contribute to cybersecurity but also claim the $10 million reward.”

Sources

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