US Offers $10 Million Bounty for Chinese Hacker Behind Global Cyberattacks
The United States has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Chinese hacker Guan Tianfeng and his associates, accused of breaching global cybersecurity systems.
Guan, 30, is believed to reside in Sichuan, China. According to a U.S. indictment unsealed on Tuesday, Guan and his co-conspirators exploited vulnerabilities in firewalls sold by UK-based Sophos Ltd., infecting tens of thousands of devices worldwide.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco revealed that the hackers’ malware aimed to steal sensitive data, including usernames and passwords, and deploy ransomware. The 2020 attacks targeted over 81,000 devices globally, with 23,000 located in the U.S., including 36 safeguarding critical infrastructure.
The U.S. Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on Sichuan Silence Information Technology Co. Ltd., where Guan worked. Reports suggest the company sold stolen data to Chinese businesses and government entities, including the Ministry of Public Security.
The FBI commended Sophos for swiftly addressing the breach, averting potentially greater damage. “Had Sophos not acted quickly, the fallout could have been catastrophic,” said FBI agent Herbert Stapleton.
China has rejected the accusations, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning condemning the sanctions as an attempt to discredit Chinese entities. “We oppose illegal unilateral sanctions and will take necessary measures to protect our companies and citizens,” she stated.
This development marks another chapter in the escalating cybersecurity tensions between the U.S. and China. With Guan described as “uncontactable,” the world watches how this high-stakes cyberhunt unfolds.
Stay informed as this story develops!
