Foreign hackers are increasingly targeting Taiwan by hijacking social media accounts to spread disinformation aimed at undermining the country's military, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) yesterday.
The hackers, believed to be operating from abroad, are using compromised Internet-connected devices, including surveillance cameras and facial recognition systems, to gain unauthorised access to social media accounts on popular platforms like Dcard and PTT (Professional Technology Temple). By infiltrating these forums, they have been able to post false information that seeks to damage the reputation of Taiwan’s armed forces.
One of the key tactics employed by these cybercriminals is impersonating Taiwanese air force personnel. They have posted misleading content claiming that many military pilots are dissatisfied with their pay and working conditions. Some posts suggest that pilots would rather incur tremendous financial losses than renew their contracts, while others falsely claim that military members are leaving their posts to pursue civilian careers for better work-life balance.
On PTT, an account named “ss900287” further amplified these messages by sharing a link to a photograph that supposedly showed a list of retired military pilots applying for jobs with China Airlines. This, however, is another example of the misinformation being spread to create doubt and discontent among the public regarding Taiwan’s military.
Rise in False Posts Across Social Media
Despite the efforts of the Air Force Command to counteract these false narratives, there has been a noticeable increase in similar disinformation across more than 170 suspicious Facebook groups, including names such as “The Strait Today,” “Commentary by the Commander,” and “You Ban, Me Mad.” These groups are suspected of being part of the coordinated effort to spread misleading content.
Advanced Techniques to Evade Detection
According to the MJIB, the hackers have been able to maintain their disinformation campaign by exploiting vulnerabilities in facial recognition systems, digital cameras, and other networked devices. By stealing personal data and taking over social media accounts, they have managed to pose as legitimate users, making their disinformation appear more credible.
To avoid detection, the hackers have employed sophisticated methods such as data de-identification and rerouting their activities through multiple channels, which has made it difficult to trace their identities and locations. In response, the MJIB has notified social media platforms, requesting that they take action against the groups and users involved in these activities.
The MJIB is advising Taiwanese citizens to gear up the security of their Internet-connected devices. This includes setting strong, unique passwords and regularly updating them to minimise the risk of cyberattacks.
In a related development, fishermen in Penghu County have reported sightings of Chinese fishing boats using fake Taiwanese radar transponder codes in waters near Cimei Township. While these vessels initially appeared to be Taiwanese on radar, visual inspections confirmed their Chinese origin. The Coast Guard Administration has stated that any illegal vessels identified will be expelled from Taiwanese waters.
The reason behind the Chinese fishing boats disguising their transponder codes remains unclear, but it has raised concerns about the potential for further deceptive activities in the region.
