The United States and Japan have issued warnings to international companies about the potential threat of being hacked by the Chinese-affiliated group known as BlackTech.

and Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The US National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are all based in Tokyo. 

Late on Wednesday, a cybersecurity advisory was issued by both Japanese and Chinese police, cautioning multinational corporations about the BlackTech hacker group.

The collaborative warning, issued by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and its Japanese equivalent, advised companies to examine the internet routers at their branches in order to decrease the likelihood of being targeted by the group.

According to the statement, BlackTech has shown proficiency in altering router software undetected and utilizing the trust connections between routers to move from overseas branches to the main offices in Japan and the United States, which are their main objectives.

According to a statement from Japan’s National Police Agency, BlackTech has been carrying out cyberattacks on government and technology companies in the United States and East Asia since approximately 2010.

The security agency in Taiwan, which is self-governed, stated that in 2020, Blacktech and Taidoor, two hacking groups believed to be supported by the Chinese Communist Party, launched cyberattacks on approximately 6,000 email accounts belonging to government officials.

As tensions between the US and China intensify, US security officials are increasing their warnings about China’s cyberattack capabilities, particularly in relation to Taiwan. FBI Director Chris Wray recently stated that China’s hacking program is larger than all other major nations’ combined.

In May, the cybersecurity agencies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom united with U.S. agencies to release a warning about a “state-sponsored cyber actor” from China.

Last month, the Washington Post reported that Japan, a crucial ally of the US in East Asia alongside South Korea, was reportedly targeted by Chinese military hackers who were able to breach its confidential defense networks in 2020. However, the Pentagon stated that it remains confident in sharing intelligence with Japan, despite this report.