Washington — The U.S. Justice Department announced Wednesday that it had seized three internet domains tied to a Chinese technology company used by hackers linked to the People’s Liberation Army. The move follows a broader effort to disrupt a sophisticated cyber‑espionage campaign that, according to federal officials, compromised dozens of federal agencies, including NASA, the Federal Reserve, the Departments of Justice and Energy, and the U.S. Senate.
Scope of the intrusion
Officials said the attackers also penetrated U.S. military networks, hospitals, power utilities and major defense contractors. The Justice Department described the operation as a coordinated attempt by Chinese military and intelligence services to hide their tracks, embed themselves deeper into target networks, and increase the efficiency of their attacks.
Government response
In addition to seizing the three domains, the department said it will issue an advisory outlining the hackers’ techniques so that affected organizations can remove the intruders and harden their defenses. While the full impact of the espionage effort remains unclear, officials indicated that a detailed counter‑intelligence assessment will remain classified for security reasons.
Historical context
This disclosure adds to a series of alleged Chinese hacking campaigns targeting critical American infrastructure, such as power plants and financial institutions. Tensions over cybersecurity have risen repeatedly in recent years, notably after 2023 accusations that China hacked U.S. military transportation networks, water treatment facilities and power firms in preparation for a potential conflict over Taiwan. At that time, U.S. officials condemned the activity as lacking any legitimate intelligence purpose, and China denied the allegations.
In 2024, U.S. telecom companies and federal agencies spent months removing suspected Chinese infiltration of telecommunications networks. Among those reportedly targeted were then‑presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance.
International reaction
The Chinese Embassy in Washington was contacted for comment. Historically, Beijing has routinely rejected U.S. accusations of cyber intrusions and has, in turn, accused American intelligence agencies of conducting cyber‑attacks.
As the investigation continues, the Justice Department’s actions signal a firm stance by the Trump administration to protect American digital sovereignty and safeguard the nation’s critical infrastructure from foreign adversaries.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
