China is on high alert as cybersecurity threats from India increase significantly, according to recent reports. 

While the United States is frequently mentioned as a major cybersecurity threat, a Beijing-based security expert reveals that many attacks come from South Asian countries, particularly India.

Surge of Cyber Threats from India

The focal point of concern revolves around a notorious group of hackers known as "Bitter." This group, suspected to have Indian origins and potentially backed by the state, has been actively targeting government, military, and nuclear sectors, both in China and Pakistan. 

Though not the most sophisticated, their methods, including spear phishing and watering hole attacks, have proven to be highly effective in breaching security measures.

The South China Morning Post reports that attacks orchestrated by Bitter have been ongoing since at least November 2013, shedding light on their political motives and strategic targeting. 

Recent cyber offensives, including one intercepted in December targeting the Chinese military, bear striking resemblances to previous attacks, indicating a consistent modus operandi.

Despite the gravity of these cyber threats, the responses from the foreign ministries of both China and India have been notably absent. 

"Contrary to popular belief that China's cyber threats mainly come from the United States, professionals in the field point out that a significant number of attacks originate from South Asian countries," the unnamed expert told SCMP.

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Indian iPhone Hacking Incident

Meanwhile, tensions have previously emerged between Apple and the Indian government following Apple's warnings to independent Indian journalists and opposition politicians about potential iPhone hacking attempts. The Washington Post reported at the time that the cyberattacks directed at opposition leaders were state-sponsored. 

In addition to these geopolitical tensions, India has faced its own cybersecurity challenges. A data breach in 2022 affecting over 600,000 individuals has brought attention to the prevalence of cyber threats in the country. The stolen data, priced at an average of ₹490 ($6) per individual, underscores the lucrative nature of cybercrime.

Moreover, a study by a known cybersecurity firm identifies India as the worst-hit nation by bot malware, accounting for 12% of all data available on bot marketplaces. These platforms serve as hubs for cybercriminals to sell stolen information, exacerbating the cybersecurity landscape in the region.

In contrast, a Chinese expert recently highlighted China's own vulnerability to cyberattacks after exposing a recent attack originating from IP addresses traced to the Philippines. Global Times reported that despite attempts to breach Chinese systems, the majority of these attacks have been unsuccessful.

The surge in cybersecurity threats emanating from India poses a significant challenge for China and underscores the need for heightened vigilance and cooperation in cybersecurity.

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