China-linked hackers infiltrated US government networks before FBI takedown
US authorities said they disrupted a China-linked hacking operation that had allegedly stolen sensitive data from more than 300 organisations and infiltrated several US government and research networks. The case highlights the scale of state-linked cyber activity and the use of commercial-style hacking services to target critical infrastructure, public bodies and private institutions.
The FBI and Justice Department seized three domains supporting QTFY’s QScan and QTRouter platforms, which scanned for vulnerabilities and concealed attacks through compromised internet-connected devices. Officials said QScan handled over two million tasks in one day in 2024, while successful breaches reportedly included three Energy Department laboratories, the NIH, an HHS agency and organisations in defence, finance and education; some attempted attacks, including against NASA, failed.
- FBI disrupted a China-linked hacking platform.
- More than 300 organisations reportedly had data stolen.
- Government labs and critical sectors were targeted.
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China is accused of supporting hacking groups that seek access to computer networks overseas. Some operations use tools and services that resemble commercial products, including software that searches for weaknesses in internet-connected devices and helps hide where attacks come from.
The FBI investigates cybercrime in the United States, while the Justice Department brings federal cases and can seek court orders to seize online infrastructure. Government laboratories and agencies hold sensitive research and personal or security-related information, so unauthorised access can have consequences for both public services and private organisations.
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