China’s Hackers Are After Our Data — And They’re Getting Better at It!

A major cyberattack linked to China has targeted not just world leaders like President Trump and Vice President Vance — but also everyday people like you and me. This isn’t just about spying on governments anymore. China’s hackers are now going after personal data on a massive scale.

Why Should You Care?
Even if you think you have nothing to hide, your personal data — like your emails, passwords, location, or even your online habits — is incredibly valuable. Hackers can use it to:

• Train artificial intelligence (AI) systems
• Launch future cyberattacks
• Manipulate public opinion
• Steal identities or commit fraud

And the scary part? You don’t have to do anything wrong to be a target.

What’s New About This Hack?
This latest campaign, called Salt Typhoon, is different from past attacks:

• It’s bigger: It has affected 600 companies in 80 countries.
• It’s broader: It’s not just targeting governments or big corporations — it’s going after regular people’s data.
• It’s stealthier: The hackers are using new techniques to sneak into systems, even as countries try to block Chinese tech companies.

A former FBI cyber expert said, “I can’t imagine any American was spared.”

How Is China Doing This?
China’s cyber operations are run by both government agencies and private contractors. This makes it harder to trace attacks and respond diplomatically.

In this case, several Chinese companies were directly linked to the Salt Typhoon operation, according to Western intelligence agencies.

What’s the Bigger Picture?
This isn’t just about China. Other countries are also active in cyber warfare:

• Russia spreads disinformation and attacks supply chains.
• North Korea hacks cryptocurrency platforms and scams companies using fake IT workers.

But China’s approach is shifting. Instead of just preparing for future conflicts (like with the Volt Typhoon attacks on U.S. infrastructure), they’re now stockpiling personal data — and no one is quite sure what they’ll do with it yet.

What Can You Do?
While we can’t stop a nation-state hacker on our own, we can take steps to protect ourselves by simply following these 4 steps:

• Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager.
• Turn on two-factor authentication wherever possible.
• Keep your devices and software updated.
• Be cautious about what you share online and which apps you use.

Thanks to the NY Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/world/asia/china-hack-salt-typhoon.html