Chinese hackers tried to mine data from power grid in Ladakh: reports

Suspected state-sponsored Chinese hackers targeted the power sector in Ladakh in recent months according to a report by the threat intelligence firm Recorded Future Inc.

The report said that as part of an apparent cyber-espionage campaign, hackers focused on at least 7 centres that are responsible for carrying out real-time operations for grid control and electricity dispersal in the areas near the disputed India-China border in Ladakh.

The report could become another flashpoint in the military stand-off between India and China which has been going for nearly 2 years after the clashes in Galwan valley.

According to Recorded Future, one of the power grids has previously been the target of another hacking group that has ‘strong overlaps’ with a group that the U.S. has tied to the Chinese government.

The hackers also compromised an Indian national emergency response system and a subsidiary of a multinational logistics company, according to the report.

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The hacking group, dubbed TAG-38, has used a kind of malicious software called ShadowPad, which was previously associated with China’s People’s Liberation Army and the Ministry of State Security, according to Recorded Future.