Chinese Military Members Charged With 2017 Hacking of Equifax

U.S. prosecutors say that four members of the People’s Liberation Army were involved in the hacking, which exposed the sensitive data of more than 147 million people.

A group of Chinese military hackers were charged by the Justice Department for breaking into the computer networks of Equifax in 2017, causing a security breach that exposed the sensitive financial information of more than 147 million people.

All four defendants named by the Justice Department are members of the People’s Liberation Army, a Chinese military branch, and are accused of stealing the credit-reporting agency’s “trade secrets,” according to The New York Times.

In a statement on Monday, Attorney General William Barr called the hack a “deliberate and sweeping intrusion into the private information of the American people.” Equifax faced heavy criticisms in the wake of the cyber attack, leading to a $700 million settlement.

“Today, we hold PLA hackers accountable for their criminal actions, and we remind the Chinese government that we have the capability to remove the Internet’s cloak of anonymity and find the hackers that nation repeatedly deploys against us,” Barr said.

The case is similar to a 2014 indictment by the Obama Justice Department against five members of the PLA, accusing the military members of hacking into American corporations in order to steal business secrets. In addition, China’s government has faced suspicion from U.S. intelligence in the cyber attacks on Marriott International and the 2015 attack on the Office of Personnel Management, according to the Times.

In the Equifax breach, the hacking group was able to gain access to critical computer systems by taking advantage of a software vulnerability, according to prosecutors. That vulnerability allowed the attackers to obtain log-in credentials and take over accounts to view databases. The hackers were skillful in breaching the servers without being caught, often wiping their log files.

None of the accused defendants are in U.S. custody, but law enforcement officials say the point is to show that they can identify specific hackers and trace attacks back to their true sources. Barr said that the actions by hackers working on behalf of the Chinese government represent a counterintelligence threat, particularly to Americans’ data and corporations’ sensitive information.

“This kind of attack on American industry is of a piece with other Chinese illegal acquisitions of sensitive personal data,” Barr said.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Just as Expected

    GSX produced a wonderful tradeshow earlier this week. Monday was surprisingly strong in the morning, and the afternoon wasn’t bad at all. That’s Monday’s results and asking attendees to travel on Sunday. Just a quick hint, no one wants to give up their weekend to travel and set up an exhibit booth. I’m just saying. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • NOLA: The Crescent City

    Twenty years later we finds ourselves in New Orleans. Twenty years ago the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina forced exhibitors and attendees to look elsewhere for tradeshow floor space. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • Nothing Artificial About this Intelligence

    I have been looking forward to this year’s GSX show in New Orleans, the Cresent City, or if you prefer The Big Easy. It seems like quite a while since we’ve been here. Twenty years ago, ASIS, as it was known then was literally washed out of the city by someone known as Katrina. It is a good thing to come back to NOLA. Read Now

  • From Monitors to Mission Control

    Security Operations Centers (SOC) were once defined by rows of static monitors, each displaying a single feed with operators quietly watching for issues. That model has become obsolete. Incidents evolve too quickly, data comes from multiple locations, and decisions must be made in seconds—not minutes. Read Now

  • New Gas Monkey Garage Venue Uses AI-Enhanced Video Technology

    Gas Monkey Garage, the automotive custom shop and entertainment brand founded by Richard Rawlings of Fast N’ Loud TV fame, has opened a vibrant new restaurant and bar in South Dakota, equipped with advanced, AI-enhanced video tech from IDIS Americas. Read Now

New Products

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.