Security alert! Uncovering Taiwan's cyber army 'Anonymous 64'

The Ministry of State Security announced that since the beginning of this year, a hacker group named Anonymous 64 has frequently conducted cyber attacks targeting mainland China and the Hong Kong and Macao regions. They aim to gain control over portals, outdoor electronic screens, online television, and other platforms, illegally uploading and broadcasting content that slanders the political system and major policies of the mainland, distorting facts and spreading rumors. In response, national security authorities have taken immediate action, implementing effective measures to address the threats and eliminate negative impacts. Investigations have confirmed that the "Anonymous 64" organization is not just a typical hacker group but rather a cyber army supported by "Taiwan independence" forces.

Since the beginning of this year, the hacker group has frequently launched cyber attacks against mainland China and the Hong Kong and Macao regions.

Notorious Cyber Army

The true background of the Anonymous 64 organization is a cyber warfare analysis center under Taiwan's Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command (ICEFCOM). This center is specifically responsible for conducting cyber cognitive warfare and public opinion warfare against the mainland. In June 2023, this center registered social media accounts under the name Anonymous 64 and brazenly carried out cyber attacks and counter-propaganda activities.

Taiwan's ICEFCOM, established in June 2017, was reformed in 2022 to be primarily tasked with electronic warfare, information warfare, cyber warfare, and the maintenance and management of military lines. It is the main force for the Taiwan authorities to conduct cyber warfare against the mainland.

Since its establishment, ICEFCOM has launched various cyber infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland, posing a significant threat to cybersecurity. On one hand, it targets key areas such as defense industries, aerospace, and energy infrastructure, attempting to steal sensitive data for intelligence gathering by the Taiwan authorities. On the other hand, it frequently distorts online public opinion, exacerbates conflicts, incites divisions, and profits from the chaos.

Blusterous Attacks

Since its inception, Anonymous 64 has posted over 70 updates on social media, showcasing so-called "achievements" to attract attention and traffic. The disclosed attack targets include outdoor electronic screens, vending machines, online television, and other internet-connected devices, as well as portals of news media, airlines, and universities, attempting to create an illusion of extremely weak cybersecurity defenses in the mainland.

However, investigations by national security authorities have revealed that the "achievements" displayed by the "Anonymous 64" organization are largely exaggerated and inflated. Most of the attacked websites are counterfeit official sites or neglected "zombie" sites. In some cases, the organization has even created fabricated images. For example, on Aug. 2, a website operated by a small internet company was attacked by Anonymous 64 simply because it contained login links to several official forums of universities, which the organization misleadingly claimed to have "gained control over the official forums of 40 universities in the mainland."

Ubiquitous Hackers

Currently, national security authorities have identified the personal information of individuals from Taiwan involved in these cyber attacks, including three active personnel from Taiwan's Cyber Command. National security authorities have initiated legal investigations against the three individuals.

The internet is boundless, but security has its rules. National security authorities remind internet audio-visual system developers, portal website operators, and internet users to implement cybersecurity measures, timely update and upgrade systems, patch technical vulnerabilities, strengthen password security and enhance inspections to prevent various cyber attack activities. They advocate that the public should not believe or spread rumors and should promptly report any cyber attacks or counter-propaganda activities to national security authorities or relevant departments.

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