Chinese Hackers Exploit Iran War to Target Maritime and Energy Companies

ESET's APT Activity Report (coverage Oct 2025–Mar 2026) documents active nation-state-aligned cyber operations: China-linked groups targeting maritime, energy, and strategic-technology firms across the Middle East, South Korea, and Latin America; Russia-aligned actors focusing on Ukraine and deploying destructive wiper malware against infrastructure; and a rise in Iran-linked proxy/hacktivist activity amid internet restrictions. The report links these campaigns to geopolitical and economic objectives and notes impacts on logistics, energy, and defense sectors.