Chinese hackers targeted Kenya's government in a widespread, years-long series of digital intrusions against key ministries and state agencies. According to a Reuters investigation, the hackers attacked eight Kenyan government agencies between 2019 and 2022. The attack was aimed at assessing the debt owed to Beijing. The hackers gained access to sensitive government information, including details on loan agreements and other financial data.
The attack was carried out using advanced persistent threat (APT) techniques. APTs are a type of targeted cyber attack that use sophisticated methods to gain access to systems and stay undetected. The Chinese hackers used a range of tactics, including spear-phishing emails, malware, and social engineering techniques to infiltrate the Kenyan government's systems.
The Reuters investigation found that the Chinese hackers were able to gain access to the email accounts of senior government officials, including the finance minister and the attorney general. They also targeted other key ministries, including the ministry of foreign affairs and the ministry of transport.
The attack is part of a larger trend of cyber espionage and economic espionage carried out by nation-states. China has been accused of carrying out similar attacks against other countries, including the United States. The Chinese government has denied any involvement in cyber attacks and has called for greater international cooperation to combat cyber crime.
The Kenyan government has not publicly commented on the attack. However, cybersecurity experts say that the attack highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity measures in African countries. Many African governments are vulnerable to cyber attacks due to a lack of resources and expertise in cybersecurity.
The attack also highlights the need for greater collaboration between countries to combat cyber crime. Cyber attacks are a global problem that require a global solution. Governments and private sector organizations need to work together to share information and develop better cybersecurity practices.
In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of cyber attacks carried out by APT groups. These groups are often backed by nation-states and are highly skilled in carrying out cyber espionage and economic espionage. The GoldenJackal group, for example, has been targeting government and diplomatic entities in a range of countries. The group is believed to be based in the Middle East and has been active since at least 2018.
Another example is the Iranian nation-state hacker group, which has been linked to a recent series of "watering hole" attacks. These attacks involve compromising a popular website and using it to infect visitors with malware. Israel-based cybersecurity company ClearSky says it's possible that the group was behind the attacks.
Finally, the North Korean APT group Kimsuky has been using a new custom malware called RandomQuery to conduct reconnaissance. The group has been linked to a range of cyber attacks, including the 2014 Sony Pictures hack.
In conclusion, the Chinese hacker attack on the Kenyan government highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity measures and greater international cooperation to combat cyber crime. Cyber attacks are a global problem that requires a global solution. The rise of APT groups backed by nation-states is a worrying trend that governments and private sector organizations need to take seriously. It's time for a coordinated global effort to combat cyber crime and protect critical infrastructure.
References:
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"Chinese hackers attacked Kenyan ministries and state agencies between 2019 and 2022 to assess debt owed to Beijing, a Reuters investigation found." - Reuters
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"Chinese hackers targeted Kenyan ministries and other State institutions in 2019 to assess debt owed to Beijing, a Reuters investigation has revealed." - The East African
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"In the movies, you can tell the best hackers by how they type. The faster they punch the keys, the more dangerous they are." - Gizmodo
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"In the decades he's spent combating human trafficking, Austin Shamlin has developed an expert's understanding of the gruesome business of..." - Forbes
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"A relatively unknown advanced persistent threat (APT) group named 'GoldenJackal' has been targeting government and diplomatic entities in..." - ZDNet
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"Israel-based cybersecurity company ClearSky says it's possible the 'watering hole' attacks were by the Iranian nation-state hacker group..." - SecurityWeek
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"Kimsuky, the North Korean APT group, is back in action! They're using a new custom malware called RandomQuery to conduct reconnaissance." - Cyware
