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protecting sensitive data
China Critical Infrastructure cyber espionage Cyber Security Czech data security Data Transfer protecting sensitive data

Czechia Warns of Chinese Data Transfers and Espionage Risks to Critical Infrastructure

 

Czechia’s National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) has issued a stark warning about rising cyber espionage campaigns linked to China and Russia, urging both government institutions and private companies to strengthen their security measures. The agency classified the threat as highly likely, citing particular concerns over data transfers to China and remote administration of assets from Chinese territories, including Hong Kong and Macau. According to the watchdog, these operations are part of long-term efforts by foreign states to compromise critical infrastructure, steal sensitive data, and undermine public trust. 

The agency’s concerns are rooted in China’s legal and regulatory framework, which it argues makes private data inherently insecure. Laws such as the National Intelligence Law of 2017 require all citizens and organizations to assist intelligence services, while the 2015 National Security Law and the 2013 Company Law provide broad avenues for state interference in corporate operations. Additionally, regulations introduced in 2021 obligate technology firms to report software vulnerabilities to government authorities within two days while prohibiting disclosure to foreign organizations. NÚKIB noted that these measures give Chinese state actors sweeping access to sensitive information, making foreign businesses and governments vulnerable if their data passes through Chinese systems. 

Hong Kong and Macau also fall under scrutiny in the agency’s assessment. In Hong Kong, the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance integrates Chinese security laws into its own legal system, broadening the definition of state secrets. Macau’s 2019 Cybersecurity Law grants authorities powers to monitor data transmissions from critical infrastructure in real time, with little oversight to prevent misuse. NÚKIB argues that these developments extend the Chinese government’s reach well beyond its mainland jurisdiction. 

The Czech warning gains credibility from recent attribution efforts. Earlier this year, Prague linked cyberattacks on its Ministry of Foreign Affairs to APT31, a group tied to China’s Ministry of State Security, in a campaign active since 2022. The government condemned the attacks as deliberate attempts to disrupt its institutions and confirmed a high degree of certainty about Chinese involvement, based on cooperation among domestic and international intelligence agencies. 

These warnings align with broader global moves to limit reliance on Chinese technologies. Countries such as Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands have already imposed restrictions, while the Five Eyes alliance has issued similar advisories. For Czechia, the implications are serious: NÚKIB highlighted risks across devices and systems such as smartphones, cloud services, photovoltaic inverters, and health technology, stressing that disruptions could have wide-reaching consequences. The agency’s message reflects an ongoing effort to secure its digital ecosystem against foreign influence, particularly as geopolitical tensions deepen in Europe.
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NVIDIA Chips
AI China Cyber Security Kill Switch NVIDIA NVIDIA Chips

Nvidia Pushes Back Against Claims of Secret Backdoors in Its Chips



Nvidia has strongly denied accusations from China that its computer chips include secret ways to track users or shut down devices remotely. The company also warned that proposals to add such features, known as backdoors or kill switches would create major security risks.

The dispute began when the Cyberspace Administration of China said it met with Nvidia over what it called “serious security issues” in the company’s products. Chinese officials claimed US experts had revealed that Nvidia’s H20 chip, made for the Chinese market under US export rules, could be tracked and remotely disabled.

Nvidia responded in a blog post from its Chief Security Officer, David Reber Jr., stating: “There are no back doors in NVIDIA chips. No kill switches. No spyware. That’s not how trustworthy systems are built and never will be.” The company has consistently denied that such controls exist.


Concerns Over Proposed US Law

While dismissing China’s claims, Nvidia also appeared to be addressing US lawmakers. A proposed “Chip Security Act” in the United States would require exported chips to have location verification and possibly a way to stop unauthorized use. Critics argue this could open the door to government-controlled kill switches, something Nvidia says is dangerous.

Senator Tom Cotton’s office says the bill is meant to keep advanced American chips out of the hands of “adversaries like Communist China.” The White House’s AI Action Plan also suggests exploring location tracking for high-end computing hardware.


Why Nvidia Says Kill Switches Are a Bad Idea

Reber argued that adding kill switches or hidden access points would be a gift to hackers and foreign threats, creating weaknesses in global technology infrastructure. He compared it to buying a car where the dealer could apply the parking brake remotely without your consent.

“There is no such thing as a ‘good’ secret backdoor,” he said. “They only create dangerous vulnerabilities.” Instead, Nvidia says security should rely on rigorous testing, independent verification, and compliance with global cybersecurity standards.

Reber pointed to the 1990s “Clipper Chip” project, when the US government tried to create a form of encryption with a built-in backdoor for law enforcement. Researchers quickly found flaws, proving it was unsafe. That project was abandoned, and many experts now see it as a warning against similar ideas.

According to Reber, Nvidia’s chips are built with layered security to avoid any single point of failure. Adding a kill switch, he says, would break that design and harm both innovation and trust in US technology.

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Telecom
China Cyber Security Hackers Telecom

China Launches Advanced Quantum Security Network Said to Be “Unhackable”

 


A major Chinese telecom company has launched what it claims is the first commercial security system that can protect digital communication from even the most powerful future hackers — including those using quantum computers.

China Telecom Quantum, a state-owned firm, recently introduced a new kind of encryption system that combines two advanced technologies to create strong protection for data, phone calls, and user identity. This system was successfully used to make a secure phone call between Beijing and Hefei  a distance of more than 1,000 kilometers — without risking any data leaks or breaches.


The Problem: Quantum Computers Could Break Today’s Encryption

As quantum computing continues to develop, it is expected to pose a serious threat to current cybersecurity systems. These new types of computers are extremely fast and powerful, and experts believe they could one day crack the encryption used to protect sensitive information like passwords, bank data, and government records.

To stay ahead of these threats, China Telecom has built a new system that combines:

1. A quantum-based method that sends encryption keys using the principles of quantum physics, making them nearly impossible to steal or intercept.

2. A mathematics-based method that protects data using very difficult equations that even quantum computers would find hard to solve.


This two-layer approach forms a highly secure framework to protect digital communication.


Tested in Real Conditions and Ready to Use

China Telecom says the system has been tested successfully and is ready to be used on a large scale. The company has already created secure quantum networks in 16 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hefei.

These networks now make up a nationwide secure communication system. Among them, Hefei’s network is the largest and most advanced in the world, with eight main hubs and over 150 connection points spread across 1,147 kilometers. It is already being used by around 500 government departments and nearly 400 publicly owned companies.


Extra Tools for Safe Messaging and Document Management

The company has also introduced two new secure tools:

• Quantum Secret — a messaging and teamwork app designed to keep communication safe from even advanced hackers.

• Quantum Cloud Seal — a platform made for secure digital approvals, auditing, and managing documents for businesses and government offices.

Both tools are already being used across different industries in China.

With this launch, China has taken a major step toward building a future-ready cybersecurity system — one that can stay strong even as quantum computing technology continues to grow.

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Vulnerabilities and Exploits
China CISA IP Address Ransomware SAP Bug Vulnerabilities and Exploits

Ransomware Hackers Target SAP Servers Through Critical Flaw

 


A newly discovered security hole in SAP’s NetWeaver platform is now being misused by cybercriminals, including ransomware gangs. This flaw allows attackers to run harmful commands on vulnerable systems from a distance—without even needing to log in.

SAP issued urgent software updates on April 24 after learning about the flaw, found in NetWeaver’s Visual Composer tool. The weakness, labeled CVE-2025-31324, makes it possible for attackers to upload files containing malware. Once inside, they can take full control of the affected system.

ReliaQuest, a cybersecurity firm that tracked this issue, now says that two known ransomware groups, RansomEXX and BianLian have joined in. Although they haven’t yet successfully launched any ransomware in these cases, their involvement shows that multiple criminal groups are watching this flaw closely.

Investigators linked BianLian to at least one incident using an IP address tied to their past operations. In another case, RansomEXX attackers used a backdoor tool called PipeMagic and also took advantage of a previously known bug in Microsoft’s Windows system (CVE-2025-29824).

Even though their first effort didn’t succeed, the attackers made another attempt using a powerful hacking framework called Brute Ratel. They delivered it using a built-in Microsoft function called MSBuild, which helped them run the attack in a sneaky way.

More recently, security teams from Forescout and EclecticIQ connected this activity to hackers linked to China. These groups, tracked under various names, were also found to be exploiting the same SAP vulnerability. In fact, they managed to secretly install backdoors on at least 581 SAP systems, including some tied to national infrastructure in the US, UK, and Saudi Arabia. Their plans may also include targeting nearly 2,000 more systems soon.

Experts believe these hidden access points could help foreign state-sponsored hackers gather intelligence, interfere with operations, or even achieve military or economic goals. Since SAP systems are often connected to important internal networks, the damage could spread quickly within affected organizations.

SAP has also fixed another weakness (CVE-2025-42999), which had been silently misused since March. To stay safe, system administrators are advised to apply the patches immediately. If they can’t update right away, disabling the Visual Composer tool can help. They should also restrict access to certain features and monitor their systems closely for anything unusual.

The US government’s cyber agency CISA has officially listed this flaw as a known risk. Federal departments were told to patch their systems by May 20 to avoid falling victim.

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TikTok
China Data Regulation Europe GDPR Privacy Social Media TikTok

EU Fines TikTok $600 Million for Data Transfers to China

EU Fines TikTok $600 Million for Data Transfers to China

Regulators said that the EU has fined TikTok 530 million euros (around $600 million). Chinese tech giant ByteDance owns TikTok, which has been found guilty of illegally sending the private data of EU users to China and lack of compliance to ensure the protection of data from potential access by Chinese authorities. According to an AFP news report, the penalty— one of the largest ever issued to date by EU’s data protection agencies— comes after a detailed inquiry into the legitimacy of TikTok’s data transfer rules. 

TikTok Fine and EU

TikTok’s lead regulator in Europe, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) said that TikTok accepted during the probe about hosting European user data in China. DPC’s deputy commissioner Graham Doyle said that “TikTok failed to verify, guarantee, and demonstrate that the personal data of (European) users, remotely accessed by staff in China, was afforded a level of protection essentially equivalent to that guaranteed within the EU,”

Besides this, Doyle said that TikTok’s failure to address the dangers of possible access to Europeans’s private data by Chinese authorities under China’s anti-terrorism, counter-espionage, and other regulations, which TikTok itself found different than EU’s data protection standards. 

TikTok will contest the decision

TikTok has declared to contest the heavy EU fine, despite the findings. TikTok Europe’s Christine Grahn stressed that the company has “never received a request” from authorities in China for European users’ data and that “TikTok” has never given EU users’ data to Chinese authorities. “We disagree with this decision and intend to appeal it in full,” Christine said. 

TikTok boasts a massive 1.5 billion users worldwide. In recent years, the social media platform has been under tough pressure from Western governments due to worries about the misuse of data by Chinese actors for surveillance and propaganda aims. 

TikTok to comply with EU Rules

In 2023, the Ireland DPC fined TikTok 354 million euros for violating EU rules related to the processing of children’s information. The DPC’s recent judgment also revealed that TikTok violated requirements under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by sending user data to China. The decision includes a 530 million euro administrative penalty plus a mandate that TikTok aligns its data processing rules with EU practices within 6 months. 

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Vulnerability
China Cybersecurity espionage Ivanti malware VPN Vulnerability

Chinese Cyber Espionage Suspected in New Ivanti VPN Malware Attack

 

A newly discovered cyberattack campaign targeting Ivanti VPN devices is suspected to be linked to a Chinese cyberespionage group. Security researchers believe the attackers exploited a critical vulnerability in Ivanti Connect Secure, which was patched by the Utah-based company in February. The attack is yet another example of how state-backed Chinese threat actors are rapidly taking advantage of newly disclosed vulnerabilities and frequently targeting Ivanti’s infrastructure.

On Thursday, researchers from Mandiant revealed that a group tracked as UNC5221 exploited a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability to deploy malicious code from the Spawn malware ecosystem—an attack technique often associated with Chinese state-sponsored activity. Mandiant also identified two previously unknown malware families, which they've named Trailblaze and Brushfire. As seen in earlier attacks tied to Chinese hackers, this group attempted to manipulate Ivanti’s internal Integrity Checker Tool to avoid detection.

The vulnerability, officially tracked as CVE-2025-22457, was used to compromise multiple Ivanti products, including Connect Secure version 22.7R2.5 and earlier, the legacy Connect Secure 9.x line, Policy Secure (Ivanti’s network access control solution), and Zero Trust Access (ZTA) gateways. Ivanti released a patch for Connect Secure on February 11, emphasizing that Policy Secure should not be exposed to the internet, and that "Neurons for ZTA gateways cannot be exploited when in production."

Ivanti acknowledged the attack in a statement: "We are aware of a limited number of customers whose appliances have been exploited." The incident follows warnings from Western intelligence agencies about China's increasing speed and aggression in leveraging newly disclosed software vulnerabilities—often before security teams have time to deploy patches.

Many of the devices targeted were legacy systems no longer receiving software updates, such as the Connect Secure 9.x appliance, which reached end-of-support on December 31, 2024. Older versions of the Connect Secure product line, which were set to be replaced by version 22.7R2.6 as of February 11, were also compromised.

This marks the second consecutive year Ivanti has had to defend its products from persistent attacks by suspected Chinese state-backed hackers. Thursday’s advisory from Mandiant and Ivanti highlights a vulnerability separate from the one flagged in late March by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which had allowed attackers to install a Trojan variant linked to Spawn malware in Ivanti systems.
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Technology
AI Alibaba China Cloud DeepSeek GenAI Technology

Alibaba Launches Latest Open-source AI Model from Qwen Series for ‘Cost-effective AI agents’

Alibaba Launches Lates Open-source AI Model from Qwen Series for ‘Cost-effective AI agents’

Last week, Alibaba Cloud launched its latest AI model in its “Qwen series,” as large language model (LLM) competition in China continues to intensify after the launch of famous “DeepSeek” AI.

The latest "Qwen2.5-Omni-7B" is a multimodal model- it can process inputs like audio/video, text, and images- while also creating real-time text and natural speech responses, Alibaba’s cloud website reports. It also said that the model can be used on edge devices such as smartphones, providing higher efficiency without giving up on performance. 

According to Alibaba, the “unique combination makes it the perfect foundation for developing agile, cost-effective AI agents that deliver tangible value, especially intelligent voice applications.” For instance, the AI can be used to assist visually impaired individuals to navigate their environment via real-time audio description. 

The latest model is open-sourced on forums GitHub and Hugging Face, after a rising trend in China post DeepSeek breakthrough R1 model open-source. Open-source means a software in which the source code is created freely on web for potential modification and redistribution. 

In recent years, Alibaba claims it has open-sourced more that 200 generative AI models. In the noise of China’s AI dominance intensified by DeepSeek due to its shoe string budget and capabilities, Alibaba and genAI competitors are also releasing new, cost-cutting models and services an exceptional case.

Last week, Chinese tech mammoth Baidu launched a new multimodal foundational model and its first reasoning-based model. Likewise, Alibaba introduced its updated Qwen 2.5 AI model in January and also launched a new variant of its AI assistant tool Quark this month. 

Alibaba has also made strong commitments to its AI plan, recently, it announced a plan to put $53 billion in its cloud computing and AI infrastructure over the next three years, even surpassing its spending in the space over the past decade. 

CNBC talked with Kai Wang, Asia Senior equity analyst at Morningstar, Mr Kai told CNBC that “large Chinese tech players such as Alibaba, which build data centers to meet the computing needs of AI in addition to building their own LLMs, are well positioned to benefit from China's post-DeepSeek AI boom.” According to CNBC, “Alibaba secured a major win for its AI business last month when it confirmed that the company was partnering with Apple to roll out AI integration for iPhones sold in China.”

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Mobile Applications
AI Chatbot China Cyber Security iOS iOS App Store. Mobile Applications Mobile App Mobile Applications

Tencent’s AI Chatbot Yuanbao Becomes China’s Most Downloaded iOS App

 

Tencent’s AI chatbot, Yuanbao, has surpassed DeepSeek to become the most downloaded free app on China’s iOS App Store. The chatbot, launched in May 2024, gained significant traction following Tencent’s integration of DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model in February. This move provided users with an additional AI option alongside Tencent’s proprietary Hunyuan model. As a result, Tencent’s Hong Kong-listed shares rose by 1.6% on Tuesday. 

Tencent, which operates China’s largest social media platform, WeChat, further accelerated Yuanbao’s growth by adding a download button for the chatbot within the app. This gave its 1.3 billion users direct access to the AI tool, significantly boosting downloads. By late February, the number of daily active users surged from a few hundred thousand to three million, according to Li Bangzhu, founder of AIcpb.com, a website that tracks AI applications. 

This rise in popularity can largely be attributed to Tencent’s extensive promotional efforts. The company has leveraged WeChat’s vast ecosystem to recommend Yuanbao to users, place ads on its social timeline, and integrate the chatbot across other Tencent applications. In addition to its AI chatbot expansion, Tencent recently reorganized several teams, including those for Yunbao, QQ Browser, Sogou Pinyin, and learning assistant Im, moving them under its Cloud and Smart Industries Group.
  
The company’s aggressive push into AI comes amid intensifying competition from major Chinese tech firms such as Alibaba, Baidu, and ByteDance. Last month, Tencent launched Hunyuan Turbo S, an upgraded AI model designed for faster responses compared to its predecessors and even outperforming DeepSeek. Meanwhile, Baidu announced that it would introduce the latest version of its Ernie 4.5 model this month, which will be made open source on June 30. 

The company will also make its Ernie Bot chatbot free for all users starting April 1. ByteDance is also ramping up its AI efforts, with CEO Liang Rubo prioritizing advancements in generative AI for the first quarter of 2025. The company has launched the Seed Edge project, which focuses on long-term AI research, and has hired AI expert Wu Yonghui from Google to lead its foundational research initiatives. 

With rapid developments in the AI sector, Tencent’s strategic moves indicate its ambition to stay ahead in China’s competitive AI landscape. The success of Yuanbao highlights the increasing importance of AI-powered applications, as well as the role of major tech companies in shaping the future of digital interaction.
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Ransomware Payload
China Cyber Crime cyber espionage Nailaolocker Ransomware Payload

European Healthcare Entities Targeted With NailaoLocker Ransomware

 

A previously undocumented ransomware payload named NailaoLocker has been detected in assaults targeting European healthcare entities between June and October 2024. 

The attackers employed CVE-2024-24919, a Check Point Security Gateway vulnerability, to obtain access to targeted networks and install the ShadowPad and PlugX malware families, which are closely associated with Chinese state-sponsored threat groups. Orange Cyberdefense CERT attributes the attacks to Chinese cyber-espionage tactics, while there is insufficient evidence to assign them to specific groups. 

According to Orange experts, NailaoLocker is a rather rudimentary ransomware strain when compared to the most renowned families in the area. Orange classifies NailaoLocker as a simple ransomware because it does not terminate security processes or operating services, lacks anti-debugging and sandbox evasion methods, and does not search network shares. 

The malware is installed on target systems using DLL sideloading (sensapi.dll), which involves a genuine and signed executable (usysdiag.exe). The malware loader (NailaoLoader) investigates the environment using memory address checks before decrypting and loading the main payload (usysdiag.exe.dat) into memory. 

The NailaoLocker then activates and begins encrypting files with an AES-256-CTR scheme, appending the ".locked" extension to the encrypted files. After the encryption is completed, the ransomware sends an HTML ransom note with the unusually long filename "unlock_please_view_this_file_unlock_please_view_this_file_unlock_please_view_this_file_unlock_please_view_this_file_unlock_please.html.”

Combining ransomware and espionage

After further investigation, Orange claims to have discovered some parallels between the ransom note's content and a ransomware tool sold by a cybercrime company known as Kodex Softwares (previously Evil Extractor). However, there were no obvious code overlaps, thus the relationship was fuzzy. 

Orange has proposed numerous hypotheses for the assaults, including false flag operations designed to distract, deliberate data theft operations combined with income creation, and, most likely, a Chinese cyberespionage organisation "moonlighting" to generate some money. 

Symantec only revealed last week that suspected Emperor Dragonfly (also known as Bronze Starlight) agents were using RA World ransomware to target Asian software companies and demanding a $2 million ransom. 

The shift in strategy is concerning since Chinese state-backed players have not adopted the strategy of North Korean actors, who are known to pursue several objectives concurrently, including financial advantages through ransomware operations.
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DeepSeek
AI Models AI technology AI Threat China Cyber Security Data Mining Data Privacy data security DeepSeek

DeepSeek AI Raises Data Security Concerns Amid Ties to China

 

The launch of DeepSeek AI has created waves in the tech world, offering powerful artificial intelligence models at a fraction of the cost compared to established players like OpenAI and Google. 

However, its rapid rise in popularity has also sparked serious concerns about data security, with critics drawing comparisons to TikTok and its ties to China. Government officials and cybersecurity experts warn that the open-source AI assistant could pose a significant risk to American users. 

On Thursday, two U.S. lawmakers announced plans to introduce legislation banning DeepSeek from all government devices, citing fears that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could access sensitive data collected by the app. This move follows similar actions in Australia and several U.S. states, with New York recently enacting a statewide ban on government systems. 

The growing concern stems from China’s data laws, which require companies to share user information with the government upon request. Like TikTok, DeepSeek’s data could be mined for intelligence purposes or even used to push disinformation campaigns. Although the AI app is the current focus of security conversations, experts say that the risks extend beyond any single model, and users should exercise caution with all AI systems. 

Unlike social media platforms that users can consciously avoid, AI models like DeepSeek are more difficult to track. Dimitri Sirota, CEO of BigID, a cybersecurity company specializing in AI security compliance, points out that many companies already use multiple AI models, often switching between them without users’ knowledge. This fluidity makes it challenging to control where sensitive data might end up. 

Kelcey Morgan, senior manager of product management at Rapid7, emphasizes that businesses and individuals should take a broad approach to AI security. Instead of focusing solely on DeepSeek, companies should develop comprehensive practices to protect their data, regardless of the latest AI trend. The potential for China to use DeepSeek’s data for intelligence is not far-fetched, according to cybersecurity experts. 

With significant computing power and data processing capabilities, the CCP could combine information from multiple sources to create detailed profiles of American users. Though this might not seem urgent now, experts warn that today’s young, casual users could grow into influential figures worth targeting in the future. 

To stay safe, experts advise treating AI interactions with the same caution as any online activity. Users should avoid sharing sensitive information, be skeptical of unusual questions, and thoroughly review an app’s terms and conditions. Ultimately, staying informed and vigilant about where and how data is shared will be critical as AI technologies continue to evolve and become more integrated into everyday life.
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Technology
Artificial Intelligence China DeepSeek Garante Italy Technology

Italy Takes Action Against DeepSeek AI Over User Data Risks

 



Italy’s data protection authority, Garante, has ordered Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek to halt its operations in the country. The decision comes after the company failed to provide clear answers about how it collects and handles user data. Authorities fear that the chatbot’s data practices could pose security risks, leading to its removal from Italian app stores.  


Why Did Italy Ban DeepSeek?  

The main reason behind the ban is DeepSeek’s lack of transparency regarding its data collection policies. Italian regulators reached out to the company with concerns over whether it was handling user information in a way that aligns with European privacy laws. However, DeepSeek’s response was deemed “totally insufficient,” raising even more doubts about its operations.  

Garante stated that DeepSeek denied having a presence in Italy and claimed that European regulations did not apply to it. Despite this, authorities believe that the company’s AI assistant has been accessible to Italian users, making it subject to the region’s data protection rules. To address these concerns, Italy has launched an official investigation into DeepSeek’s activities.  


Growing Concerns Over AI and Data Security  

DeepSeek is an advanced AI chatbot developed by a Chinese startup, positioned as a competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. With over 10 million downloads worldwide, it is considered a strong contender in the AI market. However, its expansion into Western countries has sparked concerns about how user data might be used.  

Italy is not the only country scrutinizing DeepSeek’s data practices. Authorities in France, South Korea, and Ireland have also launched investigations, highlighting global concerns about AI-driven data collection. Many governments fear that personal data gathered by AI chatbots could be misused for surveillance or other security threats.  

This is not the first time Italy has taken action against an AI company. In 2023, Garante temporarily blocked OpenAI’s ChatGPT over privacy issues. OpenAI was later fined €15 million after being accused of using personal data to train its AI without proper consent.  


Impact on the AI and Tech Industry

The crackdown on DeepSeek comes at a time when AI technology is shaping global markets. Just this week, concerns over China’s growing influence in AI led to a significant drop in the U.S. stock market. The NASDAQ 100 index lost $1 trillion in value, with AI chipmaker Nvidia alone suffering a $600 million loss.  

While DeepSeek has been removed from Italian app stores, users who downloaded it before the ban can still access the chatbot. Additionally, its web-based version remains functional, raising questions about how regulators will enforce the restriction effectively.  

As AI continues to make new advancements, countries are becoming more cautious about companies that fail to meet privacy and security standards. With multiple nations now investigating DeepSeek, its future in Western markets remains uncertain.



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Network Security
Backdoor China Contec Data Breach Healthcare Network Security

Experts Find Hidden Backdoors Inside Chinese Software Stealing Patient Data

Experts Find Hidden Backdoors Inside Chinese Software Stealing Patient Data

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the US rolled out an investigation report concerning three firmware variants used in Contec CMS800, a patient monitoring system used in healthcare facilities and hospitals. 

CIS finds hidden backdoor in Chinese software

Experts found that the devices had a hidden backdoor with a hard-coded IP address, enabling transmission of patient data. This is doable as the devices will start a link to a central monitoring system through a wireless or wired network, as per the product description. 

The agency disclosed the codes that send data to a select IP address. The decoded data includes detailed information- patients, hospital department, doctor’s name, date of birth, admission date, and other details about the device users. 

Details about three flaws

The flaw is filed under “CVE-2025-0626 with a CVSS v4 score of 7.7 out of 10” says Tom’s Hardware, while also talking about two other vulnerabilities “filed under CVE-2024- 12248, which indicates that it could allow an attacker to write data remotely to execute a code” and “CVE-2025-0683, which relates to privacy vulnerability.”

Impact of vulnerabilities

The three cybersecurity flaws can allow threat actors to dodge cybersecurity checks, get access, and also manipulate the device, the FDA says, not being “aware of any cybersecurity incidents, injuries, or deaths related to these cybersecurity vulnerabilities at this time."

FDA said that Contec Medical Systems is a device manufacturer in China, its products are used in the healthcare industry- clinics, hospitals, etc., in the US and European Union. However, experts found that these can also be bought from eBay for $599. 

About Contec

These devices are also rebranded as Epsimed MN-120, the FDA believes. Contec products are FDA-approved and sold in more than 130 countries. As part of its vulnerability disclosure process, the CISA research team discovered uncovered this flaw. 

The agency has also mentioned that the IP address is not linked with any medical device manufacturer, “Still, it is a third-party university, though it doesn't mention the university, the IP address, or the country it is sending data to,” reports Tom Hardware. 

The CISA has also assessed that the coding was meant to be a substitute update system because it doesn’t include standard update techniques like doing integrity checks or tracking updated versions. Instead, it offers a remote file sent to the IP address. To solve this, the FDA suggests removing the monitoring device from its network and tracking the patient’s physical condition and vital stats.

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US
China Cyber Security National Security Security States US

US Imposes Ban on Chinese and Russian Tech in Passenger Cars Over Security Risks

 

The United States has introduced a new regulation barring the use of Chinese and Russian technology in passenger vehicles sold domestically, citing national security risks. According to AFP, the ban covers both hardware and software from these countries, forming part of a broader effort to reduce China's influence in critical industries.

Outgoing President Joe Biden initiated the rule after a prolonged regulatory process aimed at tightening controls on foreign-linked technologies. This follows recent debates over restricting drones and other equipment from adversarial nations. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted the growing reliance of modern cars on advanced technology like cameras, microphones, GPS systems, and internet connectivity, which could pose risks if developed using foreign components.

"This is a targeted approach to keep Chinese and Russian-manufactured tech off American roads," said Raimondo.

The rule initially applies to passenger vehicles under 10,001 pounds, with plans to extend it to commercial vehicles, such as buses and trucks, in the future. It prohibits manufacturers with significant ties to China or Russia from selling cars equipped with foreign-made hardware or software for internet connectivity or autonomous driving.

Implementation will occur in two stages:

  • Software ban: Effective from the 2027 model year.
  • Hardware ban: Beginning with the 2030 model year.Imports of such technology from China and Russia will also face restrictions.

The regulation could affect companies like BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer operating a facility in California that produces buses and other vehicles. US officials have raised concerns that connected vehicles equipped with foreign technology could be exploited to misuse sensitive data or interfere with critical systems.

National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard warned, "China is attempting to dominate the future of the auto industry," underscoring the need to shield American vehicles from foreign influence.

The new rule aligns with a broader strategy to bolster domestic industries and reduce dependence on foreign technologies. On the same day, President Biden signed an executive order to fast-track the development of AI infrastructure in the US.

"We will not let America fall behind in building the technology that will define the future," Biden stated.

As Biden prepares to leave office, these measures will transition to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office next Monday. While it remains uncertain how Trump will handle these policies, significant shifts in strategy are anticipated.
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TSA
China CISA Cyber Security transport TSA

New TSA Rules to Boost Cybersecurity in Transport






The Transportation Security Administration recently unveiled a proposed rule that would permanently codify cybersecurity reporting requirements in certain segments of U.S. transportation, including pipelines and railroads. This change is set to be permanent after the agency introduced temporary reporting requirements for certain segments last year after a ransomware attack hit Colonial Pipeline, causing fuel shortages along the U.S. East Coast.


Locked In Securely

Since the Colonial Pipeline incident, the Transportation Security Administration has issued a number of temporary rules regarding cybersecurity risks in critical infrastructure. The new proposed rule would bring these temporary rules into permanence and codify a consistent approach throughout transportation on cybersecurity matters. As Administrator Pekoske pointed out, "TSA has been working extremely closely with industry partners to assist in enhancing the cybersecurity resilience of our nation's critical infrastructure."


Key Components of the Proposed Rule

This new law applies to a large scope of pipeline and railroad operators and places restrictions only on some bus companies. Its main emphasis is put on the implementation of cyber risk management plans that shall encompass:

  • Annual Cybersecurity Reviews: These reviews will require assessments and improvements in cyber defences.
  • Vulnerability Assessments: Conduct vulnerability assessments of security weaknesses that have not been remediated. Such assessments shall be conducted either by the covered entity's own personnel or a third party, but such personnel shall have no conflict of interest with respect to the covered entity.
  • Operational Cybersecurity Plans: They would describe the functions of personnel in a cybersecurity company, what is in place to protect critical systems, and procedures in identifying a threat to and responding to it.

Under these proposed regulations, operators would have to report cybersecurity incidents to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to receive faster response to and support of a threat.


Impact and Cost

The TSA estimated that the rulemaking would affect about 300 transportation operators-from pipelines, freight railroads, to public transportation agencies. These include 73 freight railroads, 34 public transportation systems, 71 over-the-road bus companies, and 115 pipeline facilities. Compliance and TSA oversight are estimated to cost the industry $2.1 billion over the next ten years.

The TSA attributed the regulations to the emerging threats of cyber attacks posed by nation-state actors and cybercriminals, who often target U.S. infrastructure in efforts to disrupt it and further inflict economic damage. Countries, according to the TSA, "such as Russia and China" were cited as frequent sources of cyberattacks on American critical infrastructure.

The agency's proposal underlines the need for uniform cybersecurity measures to be taken as soon as possible as cyber threats are becoming more advanced: they are now set to use artificial intelligence to deliver faster, undetectable attacks.


Industry Reaction and Flexibility

The proposal takes place on the grounds that the earlier directions were considered too elaborative by the transporters who had imparted them. The TSA will be more agile and results-driven now, allowing the companies to engage themselves in security solutions pertaining to the specific needs of each one.

The proposed rule will be open to comments from the industry until February 5 while reviewing all the responses the TSA will have before finalising the rule. The agency looks forward to providing enhanced cybersecurity and resilience within U.S. surface transportation systems by defeating the increasing cyber threats.


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Winos4.0
China Hackers malware Windows Winos4.0

Growing Use of Winos4.0 Toolkit Poses New Threat to Windows Users

 



Advanced hacking toolkit Winos4.0 spreads across the globe, security experts warn. Originally reported by Trend Micro, this new toolkit-just like known kits Cobalt Strike and Sliver-was connected to a string of recent cyber attacks in China, having initially spread through fake software downloads. This year, Fortinet reported that the toolkit is also disseminated through game-themed files, which now tends to expand and might pose a risk to a larger user base.


Attack Framework

Winso4.0 is a post-exploitation toolkit: after successfully gaining initial access to a system, the attackers use it for further invasion and domination. First, it was discovered inside the applications downloaded by users who considered it software in their interest, including VPNs or Google Chrome downloads for the Chinese market. Under the aliases Void Arachne or Silver Fox, the attackers entice users with these very popular applications full of malicious components designed to compromise their systems.

New strategies involve attackers using game applications, via which they have broadcasted Winos4.0, again targeting Chinese users mainly. This way, hackers change and utilise attractive downloads to penetrate devices.


Infection Stages

When one of such benign-looking files is downloaded by a victim, the Winos4.0 toolkit initiates a four-phase infection:

1. Stage 1: After installation, a DLL file you.dll, was retrieved from a remote domain. This file installed persistence on the device by setting values in the Windows Registry such that the malware would persist after the system restarts:.

2. Stage 2: At this step, the injected shellcode is loaded to download necessary APIs and communicate with a C2 server, which enables hackers to send commands and retrieve files from the infected device.

3. Stage 3: It fetches more encoded data from the C2 server in a second DLL file named上线模块.dll which saves to the Windows Registry to be used later, apart from updating server addresses to maintain an active link between the malware and its operators.

4. Final Stage: The last stage (login module.dll) will activate all main functions of the toolkit, including detailed system data gathering (like IP address and type of OS), detection of security tools, searching for crypto-wallets, and keeping a hidden backdoor. Through this backdoor connection, hackers can exfiltrate data, execute commands, and sustain their activity monitoring.

 

Evasion Techniques

Winos4.0 already has an inbuilt scanner for the detection of security products, including commercial products by Kaspersky, Avast, Bitdefender, and Malwarebytes. It will then change its behaviour to avoid detection or even quit if the toolkit finds itself running in an environment that is under surveillance. This versatility makes the tool very dangerous when it gets into cybercriminals' hands.

 

Emerging Menace

The fact that the toolkit Winos4.0 is still being used and fine-tuned points towards the growing importance of this toolkit in cyberattack strategies. As explained by Fortinet, it is a versatile and powerful framework "designed for remote control of compromised systems." Ongoing activity like this indicates that Winos4.0 is becoming a tool hackers like to use to gain control over Windows machines.


Preventive Actions

Always ready for downloading is a constant warning from the security experts to users, especially when it comes to free softwares or games which seem popular.

Avoid downloading applications and other forms of files from unknown sources. Even verifying if the software or file is coming from a legitimate source may also save it from infection. Moreover, one's security software must be updated frequently.

Knowing the threats of Winos4.0 would prevent many users from this malicious software by making them aware of this sophisticated malware.


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Russia
China Cyber Attacks Hacking Netherlands Russia

Russia and China Up Their Cyberattacks on Dutch Infrastructure, Security Report Warns

 


Dutch security authorities have recorded growing cyber threats from state-affiliated Russian and Chinese hackers targeting organisations in the country. The attacks, mostly to gain access to the critical infrastructure, are seen as preparations for future sabotage and for gathering sensitive information, according to a recent report by the Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV).


Rise of Non-State Hackers in Support of Government Agendas

The report says cyber attacks can no longer be considered the preserve of state actors: in fact, it turns out that non-state hackers in Russia and China increasingly are joining in. Of course, Russia: for some of the past year's cyber espionage and sabotage, hacktivists--independent hacking groups not officially communicating with the government are said to have conducted parts of this past year. At times, Russian state cyber actors work in conjunction with them, sometimes using their cover for their own operations, sometimes directing them to fit state goals.

China's cyber operations often combine state intelligence resources with academic and corporate collaborations. Sometimes, persons are performing dual roles: conducting research or scientific duties coupled with pushing forward China's intelligence goals. Such close cooperation treads the fine line between private and state operations, introducing an element of complexity to China's cyber strategy.


China's Advancing Sabotage Capabilities

For some years now, Chinese cyber campaigns focused on espionage, particularly those targeting the Netherlands and other allies, have been well known. Recent developments over the past year, however, have found China's cyber strategies getting broader in scope and quite sophisticated. The recent "Volt Typhoon" campaign, attributed to China, was an example of shifting toward actual sabotage, where critical U.S. infrastructure is the chief target. Although Europe is not currently under such threats from Volt Typhoon, the Netherlands remains vigilant based on China's rapid advancements in its cyber capabilities, which will potentially be implemented globally at a later stage.


Cyber/Disinformation Combined Threat

In the Netherlands, there is a national coordinator for security and counterterrorism, Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg, who underscored that cyber threats frequently act as part of an integrated approach, which includes information operations. Coordinated actions are riskier because the cyber attack and digital influence operation come together to compromise security. Aalbersberg indicated that risks need to be balanced collectively, both from direct cyber threats and other consequences.


Recent Breach in Dutch Police Forces Concerns

Earlier this month, the Dutch national police announced a breach into officers' personal contact details with thousands of officers being involved, including names, telephone numbers, and email. The attackers behind this breach are unknown, although it is believed that this incident is "very likely" to be carried out by a state-sponsored group. Still, no country was indicated.

The Dutch government views such heightened cyber hostility as pushing a stronger defensive response from its measures about the cybersecurity fields, particularly since the threats from Russians and Chinese are still multiplying. This scenario now presents strong appeal in asking for added fortifications at international cooperation and greater action in stopping these mounting operations of said aggressive expansions through cyber warfare.


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Trafficking
AI generated Deepfake AI tools China Cyber Security Generative AI Pig Butchering Scamming Trafficking

AI Tools Fueling Global Expansion of China-Linked Trafficking and Scamming Networks

 

A recent report highlights the alarming rise of China-linked human trafficking and scamming networks, now using AI tools to enhance their operations. Initially concentrated in Southeast Asia, these operations trafficked over 200,000 people into compounds in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Victims were forced into cybercrime activities, such as “pig butchering” scams, impersonating law enforcement, and sextortion. Criminals have now expanded globally, incorporating generative AI for multi-language scamming, creating fake profiles, and even using deepfake technology to deceive victims. 

The growing use of these tools allows scammers to target victims more efficiently and execute more sophisticated schemes. One of the most prominent types of scams is the “pig butchering” scheme, where scammers build intimate online relationships with their victims before tricking them into investing in fake opportunities. These scams have reportedly netted criminals around $75 billion. In addition to pig butchering, Southeast Asian criminal networks are involved in various illicit activities, including job scams, phishing attacks, and loan schemes. Their ability to evolve with AI technology, such as using ChatGPT to overcome language barriers, makes them more effective at deceiving victims. 

Generative AI also plays a role in automating phishing attacks, creating fake identities, and writing personalized scripts to target individuals in different regions. Deepfake technology, which allows real-time face-swapping during video calls, is another tool scammers are using to further convince their victims of their fabricated personas. Criminals now can engage with victims in highly realistic conversations and video interactions, making it much more difficult for victims to discern between real and fake identities. The UN report warns that these technological advancements are lowering the barrier to entry for criminal organizations that may lack advanced technical skills but are now able to participate in lucrative cyber-enabled fraud. 

As scamming compounds continue to operate globally, there has also been an uptick in law enforcement seizing Starlink satellite devices used by scammers to maintain stable internet connections for their operations. The introduction of “crypto drainers,” a type of malware designed to steal funds from cryptocurrency wallets, has also become a growing concern. These drainers mimic legitimate services to trick victims into connecting their wallets, allowing attackers to gain access to their funds.  

As global law enforcement struggles to keep pace with the rapid technological advances used by these networks, the UN has stressed the urgency of addressing this growing issue. Failure to contain these ecosystems could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Southeast Asia but for regions worldwide. AI tools and the expanding infrastructure of scamming operations are creating a perfect storm for criminals, making it increasingly difficult for authorities to combat these crimes effectively. The future of digital scamming will undoubtedly see more AI-powered innovations, raising the stakes for law enforcement globally.
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Temu
China Cyber Security Indonesia Small Businesses Temu

Indonesian Government Asks Apple, Google to Block China's Temu to Safeguard Small Merchants

 

Indonesia has urged Alphabet's Google and Apple to remove Temu, a Chinese fast fashion e-commerce startup, from their app stores in the nation, a minister said earlier this week. 

The decision was intended to safeguard the nation's small and medium-sized businesses from low-cost products offered by PDD Holdings' Temu, communications minister Budi Arie Setiadi told Reuters, despite the fact that authorities are yet to find any transactions involving its residents on the platform.

Temu's quick expansion has drawn criticism from multiple countries for its low-cost business model of sending shipments to customers in China. 

Budi described Temu's business approach as "unhealthy competition," as it connects consumers directly with factories in China to significantly lower prices. "We're not here to safeguard e-commerce, but we do protect small and medium-sized businesses. "There are millions who must be protected," the minister stated.

If Temu makes such a move, Jakarta will likewise block its investment in local e-commerce, according to Budi, who added that he is unaware of any such plan. Additionally, Budi stated that the government intends to ask Shein, a Chinese online retailer, for a similar ban. Last year, Indonesia compelled China's ByteDance social media network TikTok to shut down its online shopfront in order to safeguard the privacy of local users and merchants.

Months later, TikTok agreed to acquire a majority stake in Indonesian digital behemoth GoTo's e-commerce subsidiary in order to maintain its presence in Southeast Asia's largest e-commerce market. On Tuesday, Indonesian e-commerce company Bukalapak.com refuted news of an acquisition by Temu. 

According to an estimate by Google, Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings, and consultancy Bain & Co., Indonesia's e-commerce industry could grow to almost $160 billion by 2030, up from $62 billion in 2023.
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wiretapping
CALEA China Cybersecurity Data Breach Encryption Hackers Privacy surveillance Telecom wiretapping

China-backed Hackers Breach U.S. Telecom Wiretap Systems, Sparking Security Concerns

 

China-backed hackers infiltrated wiretap systems of multiple U.S. telecom and internet providers, reportedly seeking to collect intelligence on American citizens. This revelation has raised alarm in the security community.

Wiretap systems, required by a 30-year-old U.S. federal law, allow a small number of authorized employees access to sensitive customer data, including internet activity and browsing history. These systems, now compromised, highlight long-standing concerns about their vulnerability.

Security experts had long warned about the risks of legal backdoors in telecom systems. Many saw this breach as an inevitable outcome of such vulnerabilities being exploited by malicious actors. Georgetown Law professor Matt Blaze remarked that this scenario was “absolutely inevitable.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, the hacking group, Salt Typhoon, accessed systems used by major U.S. internet providers like AT&T, Lumen, and Verizon. The group reportedly collected large amounts of internet traffic, and a U.S. government investigation is now underway.

The hackers' goals remain unclear, but experts believe the breach could be part of a larger Chinese effort to prepare for potential cyberattacks in the event of conflict, possibly over Taiwan. The intrusion reinforces the dangers of security backdoors.

Riana Pfefferkorn, a Stanford academic, pointed out that this hack exposes the risks of U.S. wiretap systems, arguing that these measures jeopardize citizens’ privacy rather than protecting them. She advocates for increased encryption as a solution to these vulnerabilities.

The compromised wiretap systems are part of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), a law enacted in 1994 to help the government access telecom data through lawful orders. However, this system has become a target for hackers and malicious actors.

After 9/11, U.S. surveillance laws expanded wiretapping to collect intelligence, sparking an entire industry dedicated to facilitating these operations. Yet, the extent of government access to private data was only exposed in 2013 by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Post-Snowden, tech giants like Apple and Google began encrypting customer data to prevent unauthorized access, even from government agencies. However, telecom companies have been slower to follow suit, leaving much U.S. phone and internet traffic vulnerable to wiretapping.

Governments worldwide continue to push for legal backdoors into encrypted systems. In the EU, for example, proposed laws aim to scan private messages for illegal content, raising security concerns among experts.

Signal, the encrypted messaging app, warned of the dangers of backdoors, pointing to the Chinese hacking incident as an example of why such measures pose severe cybersecurity risks. Meredith Whittaker, Signal’s president, stressed that backdoors cannot be restricted to just "the good guys."

Blaze called the CALEA law a cautionary tale, emphasizing the dangers of building security systems with inherent vulnerabilities.
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Salt Typhoon
China Cyber Attacks Cyberattack Cybersecurity Data Breach FBI Hacking internet providers Routers Salt Typhoon

Chinese Government-Linked Hackers Infiltrate U.S. Internet Providers in 'Salt Typhoon' Attack

 

Hackers linked to the Chinese government have reportedly breached several U.S. internet service providers, according to The Wall Street Journal. Investigators are calling the cyberattack "Salt Typhoon," which occurred just a week after the FBI dismantled another China-backed operation called "Flax Typhoon." That attack targeted 200,000 internet-connected devices such as cameras and routers.

In the Salt Typhoon incident, hackers infiltrated broadband networks to access sensitive information held by internet service providers. Sources close to the matter told WSJ that unlike past attacks focused on disrupting infrastructure, this one seems to be aimed at gathering intelligence. FBI Director Christopher Wray had warned at the Aspen Cyber Summit that China would persist in targeting U.S. organizations and critical infrastructure, either directly or through proxies.

Chinese cyberattacks have been ongoing, but their complexity and precision have escalated, intelligence officials told the WSJ. Earlier this year, Wray described China's hacking program as the largest in the world, surpassing all other major nations combined.

China has denied involvement in these attacks. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, accused U.S. intelligence agencies of fabricating evidence linking China to the Salt Typhoon breach.

The WSJ report revealed that investigators are focusing on Cisco Systems routers, though a Cisco spokesperson said there is no evidence of their involvement. Microsoft is also looking into the attack. Lumen Technologies, the parent company of CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber, recently detected malware in routers that could expose customers' passwords but did not specify which ISPs were affected.

Although there's no indication that individual customers’ data was the target, you can take basic precautions:

  • Change your passwords regularly—especially your Wi-Fi router's password.
  • Consider identity theft protection services, which monitor your credit and banking activity.
  • Review your credit reports regularly to catch any suspicious activity.
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