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Security firm links Chinese AI tool ARTEX to cyberattacks on Japanese companies

Hackers targeting major Japanese corporations used ARTEX, a Chinese-developed artificial intelligence tool previously tied to breaches at South Korean banks, according to Tokyo-based GMO Cybersecurity.

A silhouetted person sits in a dark room facing a monitor displaying a login screen for the ARTEX software in Chinese.
Image: @MarioNawfal

Hackers who infiltrated several of Japan's largest companies used an artificial intelligence tool developed in China called ARTEX, according to findings from Tokyo-based GMO Cybersecurity reported by Bloomberg. The same software was previously linked to a wave of cyberattacks against South Korean banks last month.[1][2][3]

Originally created in China to test cybersecurity defenses, ARTEX was instead deployed by hackers against foreign infrastructure. Researchers discovered that the intrusions across Japan were executed from a single server setup directed almost entirely at Japanese targets. Approximately 20 companies were hit, with eight having confirmed data leaks, including Daiwa Securities and SoftBank.[2]

Analysts note that the attackers appear to be progressing country by country after striking South Korea and Japan in consecutive months, prompting researchers to investigate which nation could be targeted next.[2][3]

Key facts

  • Tokyo-based GMO Cybersecurity linked the Chinese AI tool ARTEX to attacks on major Japanese corporations.
  • ARTEX was previously connected to a rash of cyber breaches at South Korean banks last month.
  • The tool was originally created in China to evaluate cyberdefenses before being used offensively.
  • Around 20 Japanese companies were targeted, with eight disclosing data leaks, including Daiwa Securities and SoftBank.
  • The intrusions in Japan were carried out from a single server configuration focused almost entirely on Japanese organizations.

Sources 路 3 sources

  1. CB

    Crypto BriefingArticle 路

    GMO Cybersecurity links Chinese AI tool ARTEX to breaches at Japanese firms The use of AI tools in cyberattacks highlights the growing need for robust cybersecurity measures across industries globally. The post GMO Cybersecurity links Chinese AI tool ARTEX to breaches at Japanese firms appeared first on Crypto Briefing .

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  2. MN

    Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfalPost on X 路

    馃嚡馃嚨馃嚚馃嚦馃嚢馃嚪 The Chinese-made AI tool that hacked South Korean banks last month is now hitting some of Japan鈥檚 BIGGEST companies, a Tokyo cybersecurity firm says. ARTEX was built in China to test cyberdefenses. Turns out it鈥檚 pretty good at breaking them too, with researchers tying it to many of the recent attacks in Japan, all run from one server setup aimed almost entirely at Japanese targets. Around 20 companies got hit and 8 have already owned up to data leaks, with names like Daiwa Securities and SoftBank caught in the wider wave. The attackers seem to be going country by country, and researchers are now checking who else is on the list. Korea last month, Japan this month. Somebody鈥檚 next and probably doesn鈥檛 know it yet. Source: Bloomberg / Writer: Julie

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  3. BL

    Bloomberg@businessPost on X 路

    The hackers who recently infiltrated some of Japan鈥檚 biggest companies used an AI tool developed in China and linked to a rash of breaches at South Korean banks last month, according to a Tokyo-based internet security firm https://t.co/lC3TrrFn2e

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