Chinese Hackers APT 41 Steal Military Documents from Philippine Government

Jan 7, 2025, 08:50 AM

Chinese state-sponsored hackers, believed to be associated with the group APT 41, have infiltrated the computer systems of the Philippine government's executive branch, stealing sensitive data as part of a yearslong espionage campaign, according to people familiar with the matter. The breach, identified by cybersecurity experts as early as 2023, involved the theft of military documents, including those related to the Philippines' territorial dispute in the South China Sea. The hackers targeted the president's office among other institutions, with the attacks spanning from early 2023 to June 2024. The Philippine government has sought assistance from allies such as Australia, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as cybersecurity firms, to address the ongoing cyber threats.