In a recent speech at Vanderbilt University, FBI Director Christopher Wray has issued a warning about Chinese government-linked hackers who have infiltrated US critical infrastructure. Wray revealed that the ongoing hacking campaign, codenamed Volt Typhoon, has successfully gained access to multiple American companies operating in telecommunications, energy, water, and other crucial sectors.

According to Wray, the Chinese hackers have targeted 23 pipeline operators as part of their extensive campaign. He cautioned that China is actively developing the capability to unleash havoc on the US critical infrastructure at a time of their choosing. Wray expressed concerns about the hackers planning to strike civilian infrastructure, aiming to induce panic among the American population.

The FBI Director acknowledged the difficulty in determining the exact intent of this cyber pre-positioning by the Chinese hackers. However, he highlighted that it aligns with China's broader strategy of deterring the US from defending Taiwan.

Earlier this week, a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson denied any governmental involvement and claimed that Volt Typhoon was a criminal ransomware group unrelated to China. The statement from China's embassy in Washington reiterated the MFA's denial. It accused some individuals in the US of using cyber-attack origin-tracing as a tool to target and frame China, accusing the US of being the victim when the reality might be the opposite, and politicizing cybersecurity issues.

Director Wray revealed that China's hackers operate through a network of compromised personal computers and servers globally, known as botnets. This strategy allows them to conceal their malicious cyber activities effectively.

Several American technology and cybersecurity companies, including Microsoft and Google, previously attributed Volt Typhoon attacks to China. Their reports reinforce the conclusions drawn by private sector experts regarding the involvement of Chinese hackers in these cyber intrusions.

As the US faces an ongoing and increasingly complex threat to its critical infrastructure, Director Wray's warning serves as a reminder of the importance of bolstering cybersecurity measures and enhancing defenses against potential devastating cyberattacks. The FBI continues to work tirelessly in close collaboration with the private sector to counter cyber threats and protect the nation's critical infrastructure from foreign adversaries.