Double Dragon (also known as APT41, Barium, Winnti, Wicked Panda, Wicked Spider,[1] TG-2633, Bronze Atlas, Red Kelpie, Blackfly)[2] is a hacking organization with alleged ties to the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS).[3] Classified as an advanced persistent threat, the organization was named by the United States Department of Justice in September 2020 in relation to charges brought against five Chinese and two Malaysian nationals for allegedly compromising more than 100 companies around the world.[4][5][6][7]
In 2019, the cybersecurity company FireEye stated with high confidence that the group was sponsored by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) while conducting operations for financial gain.[8] The name “Double Dragon” originates from the duality of their operation, as they engage in espionage and individual financial gain.[9] The devices they use are usually used for state-sponsored intelligence.
Investigations conducted by FireEye have found APT 41 operations in multiple sectors, such as healthcare, telecommunications, and technology.[8] The group conducts many of its financial activities in the video game industry, including development studios, distributors, and publishers.[10]
APT 41's operations are described as "moonlighting" due to their balance of espionage supported by the Chinese state and financially motivated activities outside of state authorisation in their downtime.[8][11][12] As such, it is harder to ascertain whether particular incidents are state-directed or not.[13] The organisation has conducted multiple operations against 14 countries, most notably the United States. Such activities include incidents of tracking, the compromising of business supply chains, and collecting surveillance data. If you need any kind of information on this article related topic click here: Hire a Hacker
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