FBI Chief Warns of Chinese Hackers Targeting Vital Infrastructure, Aiming to Cause Actual Harm to the US

 During a congressional hearing on Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray stated that hackers associated with the Chinese government are targeting critical infrastructure in the United States and are preparing to cause "severe damage and real harm" to the country.

During his testimony at the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Christopher Ray stated that Chinese hackers are currently targeting critical infrastructure in the United States such as water treatment plants, power infrastructure, and oil and gas pipelines. He also mentioned that they are actively seeking to "locate and prepare to destroy or weaken key civilian infrastructure that safeguards our security and prosperity" which poses a real threat to our personal safety. When asked about whether China will uphold their promise of not interfering in this year's US election, Christopher Ray replied, "China has made many promises over the years, so I will believe it when I see it."

Jen Easterly, the head of the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, stated during a hearing that Chinese hackers have taken advantage of fundamental flaws in American technology, making it easy for them to attack. She also mentioned that the technology that supports critical US infrastructure is inherently insecure, as software developers have neglected their responsibility to address flaws for decades, resulting in security being prioritized less and making the US vulnerable to cyber attacks. She stressed the need to put an end to this situation.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation also announced that they have thwarted a large-scale cyber espionage campaign by China targeting critical American infrastructure, removing malicious software from a "zombie network" of hundreds of infected US routers. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. called the allegations "irresponsible" on Wednesday, emphasizing that the Chinese government has always strongly opposed hacking and misuse of information technology, and accusing the US of being involved in more hacking and spying activities than other countries.

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