A Taiwanese hacking group called “Anonymous 64” is carrying out cyberattacks on mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau in an attempt to gain control of Internet portals and outdoor electronic screens to post content defaming the mainland Chinese political system, China’s Ministry of Public Security said on Monday.
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“This year, a group of hackers called “Anonymous 64” have repeatedly carried out cyber attacks on mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau in an attempt to gain control of Internet portals, outdoor electronic screens and online television, in order to then illegally upload and publish content that defames political system of mainland China and major issues of public policy, distort facts and spread rumors,” the department said in a statement.
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It is noted that in response, the Chinese state security authorities took immediate and effective measures to eliminate potential threats and negative consequences.
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“An in-depth investigation has determined that Anonymous 64 is not just ordinary hackers, but a cyber army supported by pro-Taiwan independence forces,” the statement said.
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However, it is alleged that “Anonymous 64” is actually an Internet research center under the authority of Taiwan, which is engaged in conducting cognitive cyber warfare and media warfare.
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It is indicated that since its creation, the group “Anonymous 64” has published more than 70 discussion threads on social networks, using the so-called results of cyber warfare to attract attention and traffic. The Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China has determined that the main targets of attacks are devices connected to the Internet, such as outdoor electronic screens, vending machines and online television, as well as media portals, airlines, colleges and universities, where hackers try to create the illusion that network security Mainland China’s security is precarious.
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However, it later became clear that the results of the cyber war presented by the Anonymous 64 group were greatly exaggerated, since most of the attacked websites were copies of official websites or zombie pages of sites.
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“The PRC national security authorities remind relevant developers of audio and video systems, Internet portals, operation and maintenance departments, as well as Internet users to comply with preventive cybersecurity measures, timely update systems, eliminate technical vulnerabilities, improve password security, strengthen checks, as well as prevent various types of cyber attacks,” the department said.
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The authorities also urged Internet users not to believe or spread rumors, and to immediately report cyber attacks and sabotage to state security agencies when they are discovered.
