China-linked hackers stealing military and government text messages, says cybersecurity firm FireEye

‘Thousands of phone numbers targeted’ to include several high-ranking foreign individuals likely of interest to Beijing, according to statement

‘Virtually no actions’ users can take to protect their information against MESSAGETAP malware, company adds

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US and Chinese flags are hung outside a hotel during an event at the US embassy in Beijing in November 2012. Photo: AP

Published: 2:46am, 1 Nov 2019Updated: 10:46pm, 1 Nov 2019

A state-linked Chinese hacking group is using malware to steal SMS text messages from high-ranking military and government targets, according to cybersecurity company FireEye.

The hacking technology, known as MESSAGETAP, “allows China to efficiently steal data from multitudes of sources from one location”, Steven Stone, FireEye’s director of advanced practices, said in a statement.

“Espionage-related theft and intrusions have been long occurring, but what is new is the vast scale due to the use of this tool.”

The company’s finding, released in a blog on Thursday, underscores the growing concerns about China’s use of technology for espionage and the theft of intellectual property.

Attendees walk by the FireEye booth during the Black Hat cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas in August 2016. Photo: Reuters

Telecommunications pose a special concern, as the US seeks to persuade its allies not to build their next-generation networks with tools from Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies.

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