Chinese Hackers Breach U.S. Telecom Systems in Unprecedented Cyberattack

The infiltration, described as the worst telecom hack in U.S. history, allowed access to calls and texts of key political figures and exposed critical vulnerabilities.

• Hackers linked to Chinese intelligence, known as Salt Typhoon, deeply penetrated U.S. telecommunications networks over the past year, exploiting outdated infrastructure and systemic vulnerabilities.
• The breach allowed the hackers to intercept unencrypted phone calls and text messages, including those of high-profile targets like national security officials and political figures, though encrypted communications remained secure.
• Investigators believe fewer than 150 individuals were directly monitored, but the compromised metadata and geolocation data could impact far more people indirectly.
• Senator Mark Warner, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has warned that the hackers remain embedded in U.S. systems, with no immediate solution to fully remove them without overhauling outdated equipment.
• The breach highlights longstanding cybersecurity weaknesses in the U.S.'s fragmented telecom infrastructure, raising urgent national security concerns ahead of the upcoming presidential inauguration.

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