China could hack US ‘critical infrastructure’, State Dept warns

Microsoft and the 'Five Eyes' network of Western intelligence partners have accused Chinese state-sponsored hacking group, Volt Typhoon, of carrying out attacks against critical infrastructure in the US [File: Kiichiro Sato/AP Photo]

The US State Department has warned that China is capable of launching cyberattacks against critical United States infrastructure, including oil and gas pipelines as well as rail systems, after researchers discovered a Chinese hacking group had been spying on such networks.

A multination alert earlier this week revealed a Chinese cyberespionage campaign had been aimed at military and government targets in the US.