Japan defense forces used USB drives with China-linked virus: Nikkei investigation - Nikkei Asia
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CybersecurityJapan defense forces used USB drives with China-linked virus: Nikkei investigation<br>Counterfeit memory sticks infected computers that had access to classified information
The Ground Self-Defense Force used USB drives infected with a virus said to be linked to Chinese hackers. (Photo by Taro Yokosawa)<br>TATSUYA SUDO and TORU TSUNASHIMA<br>June 25, 2026 05:02 JST
TOKYO -- Japan's Self-Defense Forces used USB drives containing a China-linked virus on computers with access to classified information for nearly a year, then elected not to disclose the matter even though similar memory sticks were widely available online, a Nikkei investigation has revealed.
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