- FBI confirms Salt Typhoon breached at least 200 U.S. companies and firms in 80 countries.
- Hackers targeted telecom giants and call records of senior U.S. officials.
- FBI and global partners issue technical guidance to detect and block intrusions.
A Chinese-backed hacking group known as Salt Typhoon has breached at least 200 American companies and hundreds more worldwide, according to the FBI’s top cyber official. The revelations highlight the largest confirmed scale of Chinese cyber-espionage against U.S. critical infrastructure to date.
FBI Confirms Global Scope of Cyber Intrusions
FBI Assistant Director Brett Leatherman confirmed that Salt Typhoon’s campaign extended far beyond the United States, compromising companies in over 80 countries. While he did not disclose the full list of targeted firms, previously named victims include AT&T, Verizon, Lumen, Charter Communications, and Windstream.
This latest disclosure marks a dramatic expansion of what was initially believed to be a focused attack on U.S. telecommunications. Instead, it appears the hackers systematically targeted global networks to siphon sensitive data.
Call Records of Senior U.S. Officials Targeted
The hackers sought out call records involving senior American politicians and officials, enabling them to map communications and even identify which individuals were being monitored under legal surveillance orders. The threat was so severe that the FBI once urged citizens to switch to encrypted messaging apps to protect their conversations from interception.
FBI and Allies Issue Security Advisory
On Wednesday, the FBI, alongside nearly two dozen international agencies, published a joint advisory detailing Salt Typhoon’s tactics. The hackers primarily infiltrated company routers to reroute and steal sensitive network traffic. The advisory included technical guidance to help companies detect intrusions and strengthen defenses against future breaches.
Also Read: DOJ Employee Fired After Throwing Subway Sandwich at Border Agent in D.C.
The FBI’s confirmation underscores the seriousness of Chinese-backed cyber espionage and the vulnerability of global communications infrastructure. With hundreds of companies already compromised, the Salt Typhoon campaign highlights the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity protections, especially in critical sectors like telecommunications.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of CoinBrief.io. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Coin Brief is not responsible for any financial losses.
