Welcome to the dark world of Chinese hackers who secretly, quietly and quietly creep into our everyday digital lives. The alarm bells from the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution are ringing, and it's about more than a few insecure passwords.

The Invisible Web: Hackers Lurking in the Shadows

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has published an alarming report: Chinese hackers are using sophisticated tactics to gain access to our Internet connections. A worrying scenario that affects you, us and every single online interaction.

Behind the scenes: APT15 and APT31 take the stage

The protagonists of this sinister story go by the names APT15 and APT31 – abbreviations for “Advanced Persistent Threat”. These are high-profile hacker groups that allegedly work on behalf of China and have developed a sophisticated strategy. They do not appear directly in the digital spheres. They sneak in to private users and medium-sized companies via poorly secured Internet access. Your mission? Spying on state and political institutions.

The break-in: When routers become weapons

The explosive revelation that these hacker groups have actually managed to infiltrate German authorities shows the threat posed by this invisible danger. In 2021, APT15 managed to break into the Federal Office of Cartography and Geodesy - an agency that creates highly sensitive maps and satellite images. The attack went unnoticed for a long time, but the traces left by the hackers were unmistakable.

Your door into the unknown: Poorly secured devices as a gateway

How do these dark figures get into our digital worlds? Through you. By U.S. Through the devices in our homes. The frightening reality is that hackers routinely infiltrate poorly secured routers, internet-connected printers and even smart home appliances. These inconspicuous helpers help them reach their actual goals. Because our internet connection appears to remain undisturbed, the actual damage often goes unnoticed.

The invisible camouflage: When hackers weave a new web

Things get really sophisticated here. With access to thousands of devices, Chinese hackers can create a complex web of obfuscation. Like a shadowy empire that abuses our own internet connections for its dark purposes. And if you think you're not a "worthy target" because you have nothing to hide, you're wrong - they don't want you, they want what you connect to your internet.

Strike Back: Your Defense Against Invisible Intruders

You are not defenseless. The German Office for the Protection of the Constitution gives clear tips on how you can protect your devices and keep hackers at bay. An update and replacement of outdated and no longer supported devices are the first steps towards security. Because in the world of bits and bytes it is time for your own digital fortress.

The Finale: When the Shadow Becomes Reality

At a time when invisible threats are more real than ever, it's important to take a look behind the scenes. The story of Chinese hackers using our internet connection as a gateway is a wake-up call for us all. A wake-up call that reminds us that cyberspace can be just as dangerous as the physical world - and that our privacy needs to be protected more than ever.

Would you like to stay up to date with the latest developments? Sign up for the Mimikama newsletter or use our Mimikama media education offer to deepen your knowledge.

Source:

Spiegel , Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution – “Cyber-Brief”

You might also be interested in:
Duolingo data leak: More than just a language problem?
The web of illusions: When your click endangers your contacts
How migrants in Southeast Asia are turned into cybercriminals


If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:

📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.

Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!

* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!


Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )