US FBI strikes second Chinese hacking group, director says
Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the word "hacker" in this illustration taken, on Feb 19, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Dado Ruvic)
WASHINGTON: US law enforcement has disrupted a second major Chinese hacking group nicknamed "Flax Typhoon", FBI Director Christopher Wray said on Wednesday (Sep 18), wresting thousands of compromised devices from its grasp.
Speaking at a cybersecurity conference in Washington, Wray said Flax Typhoon was being run by a Chinese company called the Integrity Technology Group that posed as an IT firm but also "collected intelligence and performed reconnaissance for Chinese government security agencies".
A previously known hacking group dubbed "Volt Typhoon" has been the subject of increasing concern by Western officials since it was first identified last year as cyber sabotage group focused on establishing a foothold in critical US infrastructure.
US officials have said it is a China-backed group, while Beijing has said it is a ransomware gang.
Representatives for China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest Federal Bureau of Investigation statement.
