GoKawiilDOJ seizes botnet domains linked to Chinese hacking group QTFY
The Justice Department announced it has seized domains used by a Chinese state-linked botnet known as QTFY, run by Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Tech, disrupting its command-and-control infrastructure. The botnet reportedly enabled hackers tied to China's Ministry of State Security to infiltrate U.S. government and private-sector networks, including NASA, the Federal Reserve, several federal departments, and, as recently as this year, the Senate. Lumen, a network provider that assisted the FBI, said it had tracked the group profiling government, defense, and aerospace targets for roughly a year before the takedown.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
This action shows U.S. authorities increasingly using domain seizures as a direct tool to disable foreign state-linked hacking infrastructure rather than just issuing indictments. It also underscores how commercial botnets-for-hire have become key enablers of state espionage, blurring lines between private cybercrime firms and government intelligence operations. The years-long access to sensitive federal systems highlights persistent vulnerabilities in U.S. critical infrastructure defenses.
- FBI seized domains tied to the QTFY botnet allegedly used by Chinese state hackers.
- Targets included NASA, the Federal Reserve, several federal agencies, and the U.S. Senate.
- Network firm Lumen aided the investigation by sharing threat intelligence on the botnet's activity.
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Published there as: “US seizes domains of Chinese botnet used to hack NASA, Justice Department, and the Senate”
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