Internet security company Fire Eye has revealed on Friday, Aug. 20, that Chinese hackers have been penetrating the Indian system for the past three years. On the same day, hacks on some Indian university systems have also been revealed, and Chinese government-supported groups remain to be investigated by the security firm. The attacks appear to be a strategy for China to monitor foreign affairs.
A Washington Examiner report stated that the Chinese hackers are especially interested in files that have something to do with the border dispute between India and China. Mostly, the targeted files also have important information regarding Tibetan activists in India. Days after India and the United States held a 'Cyber Dialogue' to strengthen cybersecurity for their respective systems, announcement of the findings has been made.
To infiltrate the systems, a word document which includes a script called 'Watermain' was attached to emails and then sent to government officials in India. Disguised as emails about regional issues, once the emails have been opened, Watermain will be then activated. From there, hackers will have access to the computers and targeted files of the victim.
"Collecting intelligence on India remains a key strategic goal for China," Fire Eye's chief technology officer for the Asia-Pacific region, Bryce Boland, said about the intrusion. He added that these hacking incidents from the Chinese show "growing interest in its foreign affairs." A Fire Eye spokesperson also claimed that the team of hackers they are monitoring is 'well-resourced and works around the clock'.
As of this writing, the specific group has not been determined, but Fire Eye is highly suspicious of Deep Panda, a group backed by the Chinese government. Fire Eye has been investigating the group for two years now. Thus, Deep Panda has been suspected to be responsible for many attacks to different government systems around the world. In June this year, the US system has been breached. Chinese hackers have similarly been suspected of intruding the system.
