Palo Alto Chose Not To Tie China To Hacking Campaign For Fear of Retaliation From Beijing (reuters.com)
- Reference: 0180782724
- News link: https://it.slashdot.org/story/26/02/12/196217/palo-alto-chose-not-to-tie-china-to-hacking-campaign-for-fear-of-retaliation-from-beijing
- Source link: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/palo-alto-chose-not-tie-china-hacking-campaign-fear-retaliation-beijing-sources-2026-02-12/
> Palo Alto Networks [1]opted not to tie China to a global cyberespionage campaign the firm exposed last week over concerns that the cybersecurity company or its clients could face retaliation from Beijing, according to two people familiar with the matter. The sources said that Palo Alto's findings that China was tied to the sprawling hacking spree were dialed back following last month's news, first reported by Reuters, that Palo Alto was one of about 15 U.S. and Israeli cybersecurity companies whose software had been [2]banned by Chinese authorities on national security grounds .
>
> A draft version of the report by Palo Alto's Unit 42, the company's threat intelligence arm, said that the prolific hackers -- dubbed "TGR-STA-1030" in a report published on Thursday of last week -- were connected to Beijing, the two people said. The finished report instead described the hacking group more vaguely as a "state-aligned group that operates out of Asia." Attributing sophisticated hacks is notoriously difficult and debates over how best to assign blame for digital intrusions are common among cybersecurity researchers.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/palo-alto-chose-not-tie-china-hacking-campaign-fear-retaliation-beijing-sources-2026-02-12/
[2] https://it.slashdot.org/story/26/01/14/1833237/beijing-tells-chinese-firms-to-stop-using-us-and-israeli-cybersecurity-software
"state-aligned group that operates out of Asia" (Score:2)
Anyone with any clue knew what those weaselly words meant, and Palo Alto Networks knew how those words would be interpreted by anyone with clue. If the goal was to not hurt Palo Alto Networks reputation with Beijing, they did not do a great job.
Re: "state-aligned group that operates out of Asia (Score:2)
Yes, nice. But then you read "Attributing sophisticated hacks is notoriously difficult and debates over how best to assign blame for digital intrusions are common among cybersecurity researchers." and with a grain of salt in your head you should be able to question "how, then, did you figure out it was the chinese?".
And there went any and all trust. (Score:2, Interesting)
If PA is willing to engage in deception and coverups in order to simp and cover for authoritarians... and obviously they are, because they did... then they can simply never be trusted in a security context again. And since security is basically their entire thing; anyone who uses them or continues to use them, moving forward, is a catastrophic fool.
Re: And there went any and all trust. (Score:2)
And all the unconstitutional surveillance of own citizens that goes on is ok? Heh ok ok
Re: (Score:2)
Exactly. Palo Alto's 15 minutes of fame, but not quite the way they wanted it.
“It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.”
- Will Rogers
Expect this to be referenced for a long time like [1]Sony's root-kit [grokipedia.com].
[1] https://grokipedia.com/page/Sony_BMG_copy_protection_rootkit_scandal
When Nixon opened up China (Score:3)
He sold it to America as bringing democracy to them. Now we know how absolutely full of shit he was..
I mean anyone paying attention knows Nixon was always full of shit about practically everything but this one especially stings. Instead of America exporting democracy to china, China is exporting authoritarian fascism to america.
Re: (Score:2)
Easy, he's shifted the focus of America's hegemonic power away from Asia and to South America which is extremely stupid.
Basically Trump is a coward and not willing to put his rep on the line unless it's a sure thing, like the US military beating up on smaller countries rather than risk something even if just and in Americas interest like standing up for Taiwan or supplying aid to Ukraine. Big part of the reason he loves Israel and Netenyahu, they're dominant in the region, easy "wins" for him and that's w
MICROS~1 strikes again .. (Score:1)
Did the Chinese State Security hack in from their home address /s
A new level of ... (Score:2)
A new level of stupidity has been created. Far about just stupid and highly stupid, and even crazy stupid is no PaloAlto stupid. A level so stupid that an IQ test must be performed to verify that those with it should be considered living organism.
Abusive (Score:2)
Police: Ma'am, that's quite a black eye you have there. How'd that happen?
Woman [eyes to the floor]: I ran into a door, Officer. I'm so clumsy sometimes.
Police: Really, ma'am? It looks to me like your boyfriend beat you pretty hard. For your own safety, I suggest you press charges so that I can arrest him and you can seek a restraining order.
Woman: No, that won't be necessary, Officer. He's very sorry and won't do it again.
These kinds of stories never end well.
Goes both ways (Score:3)
As if the NSA and CIA are not trying to hack into computers in China. All part of the game. Never gonna end.
Cowards (Score:5, Insightful)
If you let them off to hook, it'll only get worse.
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
Pedo protecting Trump officials laugh at you pitiful example of reach.
The fact Trump hasn't fired Pam Bondi after her disastrous display. Shows she was doing exactly what he wanted.
pedo protecting goes right to the top.