Norway Accuses China’s Salt Typhoon Hacking Group of Cyber Espionage

Norway Accuses China's Salt Typhoon Hacking Group of Cyber Espionage

Source: Bloomberg

Summary

Norway’s government accused China’s Salt Typhoon hacking group of conducting a cyberespionage campaign in the country. The allegations were made in a statement from the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The group is said to have targeted several Norwegian government agencies and private companies. The exact scope of the campaign is unclear. The Norwegian government has not provided further details. According to the ministry, the hack was discovered in August. The Chinese embassy in Norway has denied the allegations.


Our Reading

The announcement sounds ambitious.

Norway’s government claims China’s Salt Typhoon hacking group launched a cyberespionage campaign against several government agencies and private companies. The hack was allegedly discovered in August, but the exact scope and impact are unclear. The Chinese embassy has denied the allegations. This is just another chapter in the long history of countries accusing each other of cyberattacks. Oh, and the hack was discovered in August, because that’s exactly when these things usually happen. The government is now scrambling to contain the damage, but we’re sure they’ll get it under control eventually. After all, they’ve had plenty of practice.

Salt Typhoon is just the latest example of a group that’s been around for years, conducting the same old hacking schemes. It’s like they’re trying to outdo each other in an endless game of cyber-whack-a-mole. And yet, we’re supposed to be impressed by these “new” attacks. Newsflash: they’re not new. They’re just rebranded versions of the same old tactics.

As usual, the details are scarce, and the government is left to spin the narrative. Meanwhile, private companies are left to pick up the pieces and try to prevent the next attack. It’s a never-ending cycle, and we’re just along for the ride.

This is just another example of how innovation is often just a rebranding of something old. Salt Typhoon is just the latest in a long line of hacking groups that have been around for years. It’s time to stop pretending like these attacks are new and exciting, and start focusing on the real issue: how to prevent them from happening in the first place.

Author: Evan Null