# APT2: threat group profile

> APT2 is an espionage group thought to operate from China, with suspected state backing. Public reporting about it is still limited. This free profile brings together what is known about it, so you can judge the risk to you. It lists the other names the group goes by and links to every public report behind it.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors/apt2
Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/) > [Threat groups](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors) > APT2

## At a glance

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack techniques | 0 |
| Countries and victims named | 1 |
| Thought to operate from | China |
| Suspected backing | China |
| Motive | Espionage |
| Other names | 8 |
| Public reports | 5 |

## Who is APT2?

APT2 is an espionage group thought to operate from China, with suspected state backing. Public reporting about it is still limited.

### Also known as

PLA Unit 61486, PUTTER PANDA, MSUpdater, 4HCrew, SULPHUR, SearchFire, TG-6952, G0024

Security companies each give the same group their own name, so one group can have many.

### What public reporting says

> Putter Panda were the subject of an extensive report by CrowdStrike, which stated: 'The CrowdStrike Intelligence team has been tracking this particular unit since2012, under the codename PUTTER PANDA, and has documented activity dating back to 2007. The report identifies Chen Ping, aka cpyy, and the primary location of Unit 61486.'

## Who does APT2 go after?

**Sectors:** Private sector, Government

**Countries and victims named:** U.S. satellite and aerospace sector

See threats by industry: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/industries

## Public reports about APT2

- http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4589853/crowdstrike-intelligence-report-putter-panda.original.pdf
- https://www.cfr.org/interactive/cyber-operations/putter-panda
- https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0024
- https://www.mandiant.com/resources/insights/apt-groups
- https://www.fireeye.com/content/dam/fireeye-www/summit/cds-2019/presentations/cds19-executive-s08-achievement-unlocked.pdf

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is APT2?

APT2 is an espionage group thought to operate from China, with suspected state backing. Public reporting about it is still limited.

### Where is APT2 thought to be based?

Public reporting places APT2 as operating from China, with suspected state backing. Attribution is never certain: it rests on the tools, infrastructure and targets researchers have seen.

### Who does APT2 target?

In public reporting, sectors named include private sector and government, and 1 countries and victims are named, including U.S. satellite and aerospace sector.

### How do I know if APT2 is a risk to my business?

Create an account and tell us the software you run. We match it against known flaws, including those linked to threat groups, rank each one from 0 to 100 and tell you as soon as we spot something that affects you.

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