Microsoft accuses China of hacking Namibia

Microsoft has accused China-based cyber threat groups of targeting entities in Namibia, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago. In its Digital Defence Report 2022, the multinational tech giant said it has observed “widespread targeting of smaller nations around the world by Chinese state and state-affiliated threat groups, suggesting China is likely using cyber-espionage as a component of its global economic and military influence”.

According to Microsoft, the attacks on small countries like Namibia is in line with China’s belt and road initiatives (BRIs). The BRIs attempted to revive a comprehensive investment framework with the European Union, and negotiate a new regional trade agreement with 15 countries in Asia Pacific, known as the regional comprehensive economic partnership.

“Microsoft assesses China will continue to utilise cyber collection as a tool to help advance its strategic political, military and economic goals due to observed cyber operations and the breadth of entities targeted,” the company said.