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Cybersecurity Breach Report:A Detailed Breakdown of English Grammar, Vocabulary and Phrases


Chinese hackers accessed the networks of US broadband providers and obtained information from systems the federal government uses for court-authorized wiretapping, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. Verizon Communications, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies are among the telecom companies whose networks were breached by the recently discovered intrusion, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with the matter.


The hackers might have held access for months to network infrastructure used by the companies to cooperate with court-authorized US requests for communications data, the Journal said. It said the hackers had also accessed other tranches of internet traffic.


China's foreign ministry responded on Sunday that it was not aware of the attack described in the report but said the US has "concocted a false narrative" to "frame" China in the past. "At a time when cybersecurity has become a common challenge for all countries around the world, this erroneous approach will only hinder the efforts of the international community to jointly address the challenge through dialogue and cooperation," the ministry said in a statement to Reuters.




The Journal said the attack was carried out by a Chinese hacking group with the aim of collecting intelligence. US investigators have dubbed it "Salt Typhoon."



Understanding Key Terms



Wiretapping



Wiretapping is the practice of secretly listening to or recording private conversations or communications, typically via telephone or electronic devices, without the consent of the parties involved.



Simplified Statement



This statement reports a cybersecurity breach involving Chinese hackers who allegedly accessed the networks of U.S. broadband providers. In doing so, they were able to gain access to sensitive information from systems that the U.S. federal government uses for listening to private conversations or communications authorized by court.



Breached Networks



Verizon Communications, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies are among the telecom companies whose networks were breached by the recently discovered intrusion.




  • Breached: The term generally means to break or violate a law, obligation, or agreement.

  • Intrusion: The act of entering a place or situation where one is unwelcome or uninvited.



Simplified Statement



Overall, the sentence conveys that a security incident has affected several major telecommunications companies, with unauthorized access to their systems being a serious concern for them and potentially for their customers. This could lead to data breaches, service disruptions, or other security-related issues.



Access Duration



The hackers might have held access for months to network infrastructure used by the companies.




  • Might Have: This phrase suggests uncertainty or possibility. It implies that there is a chance that something happened, but it is not confirmed or guaranteed.

  • Held Access: This means that the hackers maintained or retained the ability to access the network infrastructure.



Simplified Statement



Overall, the phrase conveys that there is a concern or suspicion that the hackers had the ability to infiltrate and control parts of the companies' network systems for several months, but it is not a confirmed fact.



Tranches of Internet Traffic



It said the hackers had also accessed other tranches of internet traffic.




The term tranches refers to portions, slices, or segments of something.



Simplified Statement



Overall, the sentence implies that the hackers were able to access not just one specific type or source of internet traffic but multiple segments or categories of data being transmitted over the internet.



China's Response



China's foreign ministry responded on Sunday that it was not aware of the attack described in the report but said the US has "concocted a false narrative" to "frame" China in the past.




  • Concocted: To create or prepare something, often by combining various elements or ingredients.

  • False Narrative: A story or account of events that is misleading, inaccurate, or entirely untrue.



Simplified Statement



In the statement, China's foreign ministry responded to a report about an attack, claiming it was unaware of such an incident. However, they accused the United States of creating a "false narrative" in previous instances to portray China negatively.



Global Cybersecurity Challenge



At a time when cybersecurity has become a common challenge for all countries around the world, this erroneous approach will only hinder the efforts of the international community to jointly address the challenge through dialogue and cooperation.




  • Erroneous: Containing errors or mistakes; it refers to something that is incorrect or misguided.

  • Hinder: To obstruct, impede, or delay the progress or movement of something.



Simplified Statement



The statement argues that the wrong approach being taken will obstruct the international community's efforts to collaboratively tackle the widespread challenge of cybersecurity through dialogue and cooperation, especially at a time when it is a global concern.



Chinese Hacking Group



The journal said the attack was carried out by a Chinese hacking group with the aim of collecting intelligence. US investigators have dubbed it "Salt Typhoon."




  • Dubbed: Refers to the act of giving something a specific name or title.



Simplified Statement



Overall, the sentence describes a cyber attack attributed to a Chinese hacking group focused on intelligence gathering, which U.S. investigators have labeled as "Salt Typhoon."