Salt Typhoon Hackers Breach Charter, Consolidated, Windstream, Threatening U.S. Infrastructure

Jan 6, 2025, 02:15 PM

Chinese state-backed hackers, known as Salt Typhoon, have breached the networks of several U.S. telecommunications companies, including Charter Communications, Consolidated Communications, and Windstream, according to reports. These attacks, part of a broader campaign targeting U.S. infrastructure and telecom networks, began as early as 2019 and are ongoing. The hackers have gained access to sensitive data, including text messages, voicemails, and phone calls, as well as wiretap information of individuals under U.S. law enforcement investigation. The breaches have raised concerns about potential disruptions to critical infrastructure and the ability of the U.S. to respond to future conflicts, such as a possible invasion of Taiwan by China. The U.S. government has taken action against some of these hacking groups, including disrupting botnets and imposing sanctions on related entities.