The State Security Department of Lithuania has issued a warning about the increasing activity of Chinese intelligence services, who are intensifying cyber espionage and data collection through social networks. While groups based in Russia, ex-Soviet countries, or North Korea often grab headlines, they are not the only actors with interests in other countries. Chinese intelligence is also very active and seeks to collect as much information as possible through social networks, attempting to determine the contact networks of specific individuals. This method leads attackers to officials, politicians, journalists, businessmen, and scientists.
“Chinese intelligence services have also increased cyber espionage against Lithuania,” the State Security Department stated in a press release. “Cyber actors affiliated with China regularly scan vulnerabilities in the networks of Lithuanian government institutions with the aim of penetrating their networks and extracting data.”
“Currently, Chinese intelligence priorities have shifted towards internal Lithuanian affairs, political divisions, and foreign policy. In the short term, Chinese intelligence services are likely to seek to collect information on national Lithuanian elections, both presidential and parliamentary, as well as the European Parliament election,” the agency added.
Authorities warn that operatives use social networks to target potential victims, and this increase in attacks through this new vector is due to Lithuania’s ability to restrict Chinese intelligence services from collecting information directly.
The State Security Department also points out that Lithuanian citizens traveling to China are targets, as they are likely to be approached during their visits to third countries, particularly in Southeast Asia.
This warning to Lithuania serves as a powerful reminder that there are other stakeholders and that social networks are an extremely useful attack vector for a determined state actor.
China intensifies intelligence activities against Lithuania from its territory
The significantly reduced capacity of the Chinese diplomatic mission and the unfavorable counterintelligence regime in Lithuania have restricted the ability of Chinese intelligence services to collect information in Lithuania or directly influence the country’s socio-political affairs. As a result, Chinese intelligence services focus on developing an agency in Lithuania and collecting intelligence from Chinese territory.
Like in other Western countries, one of the most common methods used by Chinese intelligence services to establish and maintain contact with potential targets is through social networks. Chinese intelligence uses social networks to identify people of interest who fit their target profile. These individuals may have direct access to sensitive information or a broad network of contacts, including officials, politicians, journalists, businessmen, scientists who can be used as intermediaries in intelligence operations. Chinese intelligence officers often use the cover of representatives of various companies or think tanks when approaching targets, offering financial incentives for information. Targets are typically invited to travel to China, where they receive their payment and new intelligence assignments.
via: bitdefender