A Chinese hacking group known as UNC2814 was uncovered by Google for infiltrating Brazilian telecom operators and stealing sensitive data over nearly a decade.
Google revealed that it has dismantled a Chinese hacking group, known as UNC2814 or Gallium, which had been infiltrating systems of governments and companies in at least 42 countries for nearly a decade through online services like spreadsheets. The group notably accessed sensitive data from Brazilian telecom operators in its attacks, although Google did not disclose which operators were affected.
Investigations show that some of the Brazilian systems compromised by UNC2814 stored personal information including full names, phone numbers, birth dates, and ID numbers. While not all attacks resulted in data theft, Google highlighted that the hacker group also had the capability to monitor call logs and SMS records from the telecom systems, raising concerns about privacy and security.
Historically, the group's focus on sensitive communications seems aimed at enabling the surveillance of individuals and organizations, particularly targeting dissidents and activists, as well as other traditional targets. This incident underscores the ongoing threat posed by cybercriminals and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data.
