Chinese hackers infiltrated the networks of American telecommunications companies more deeply than previously believed. Among the affected firms were Charter Communications, Consolidated Communications, and Windstream, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing informed sources.
The attackers exploited vulnerabilities in Fortinet security devices and compromised major Cisco Systems routers. In addition to breaching the networks of AT&T and Verizon, they targeted the infrastructure of Lumen Technologies and T-Mobile.
China firmly denied the allegations, dismissing them as disinformation. However, the scale and implications of the attacks have raised significant concerns. In 2023, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan warned telecommunications and technology companies that hackers had acquired the capability to disable ports, power grids, and other critical infrastructure within the United States.
AT&T and Verizon confirmed the attacks on their systems but assured that their networks remain secure. Lumen stated that no traces of malicious activity remain in its network, while T-Mobile successfully thwarted attempts to access customers’ confidential information.
Verizon disclosed that the attack was aimed at specific clients, including government officials and politicians, who have since been notified. Vandana Venkatesh, the company’s Chief Legal Officer, emphasized that the incident was successfully contained.
Both Cisco and Fortinet declined to comment. Previously, the Salt Typhoon group was known to have targeted individuals associated with the campaigns of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
In December 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury reported a breach of its systems by hackers linked to China. The attackers accessed employee workstations and non-classified documents, classifying the incident as a “major cybersecurity event.”
Moreover, in November 2024, it was revealed that Chinese hackers had infiltrated the networks of American telecommunications companies and monitored calls and text messages of nearly 150 politicians in Washington.
