# APT40: threat group profile > APT40 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/apt40 Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/) > [Threat groups](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/threat-actors) > APT40 ## At a glance | Fact | Value | |---|---| | Attack techniques | 0 | | Countries and victims named | 13 | | Thought to operate from | China | | Suspected backing | China | | Motive | Espionage | | Other names | 14 | | Public reports | 36 | ## Who is APT40? APT40 is an espionage group thought to operate from China, with suspected state backing. Public reporting about it is still limited. ### Also known as TEMP.Periscope, TEMP.Jumper, Leviathan, BRONZE MOHAWK, GADOLINIUM, KRYPTONITE PANDA, G0065, ATK29, TA423, Red Ladon, ITG09, MUDCARP, ISLANDDREAMS, Gingham Typhoon Security companies each give the same group their own name, so one group can have many. ### What public reporting says > Leviathan is an espionage actor targeting organizations and high-value targets in defense and government. Active since at least 2014, this actor has long-standing interest in maritime industries, naval defense contractors, and associated research institutions in the United States and Western Europe. ## Who does APT40 go after? **Sectors:** Government, Private sector **Countries and victims named:** United States, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Cambodia, Belgium, Germany, Philippines, Malaysia, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, United Kingdom See threats by industry: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/industries ## Public reports about APT40 - https://www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-insight/post/leviathan-espionage-actor-spearphishes-maritime-and-defense-targets - https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2018/03/suspected-chinese-espionage-group-targeting-maritime-and-engineering-industries.html - https://www.cfr.org/interactive/cyber-operations/apt-40 - https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2019/03/apt40-examining-a-china-nexus-espionage-actor.html - https://www.recordedfuture.com/chinese-threat-actor-tempperiscope/ - https://www.fireeye.com/blog/threat-research/2018/07/chinese-espionage-group-targets-cambodia-ahead-of-elections.html - https://attack.mitre.org/groups/G0065/ - https://www.crowdstrike.com/resources/reports/2019-crowdstrike-global-threat-report/ - https://go.crowdstrike.com/rs/281-OBQ-266/images/Report2020CrowdStrikeGlobalThreatReport.pdf - https://intrusiontruth.wordpress.com/2020/01/09/what-is-the-hainan-xiandun-technology-development-company - https://intrusiontruth.wordpress.com/2020/01/10/who-is-mr-gu - https://intrusiontruth.wordpress.com/2020/01/13/who-else-works-for-this-cover-company-network - https://intrusiontruth.wordpress.com/2020/01/14/who-is-mr-ding - https://intrusiontruth.wordpress.com/2020/01/15/hainan-xiandun-technology-company-is-apt40 - https://www.secureworks.com/research/threat-profiles/bronze-mohawk - https://www.mycert.org.my/portal/advisory?id=MA-774.022020 - https://www.elastic.co/blog/advanced-techniques-used-in-malaysian-focused-apt-campaign - https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2020/09/24/gadolinium-detecting-empires-cloud/ - https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/four-chinese-nationals-working-ministry-state-security-charged-global-computer-intrusion - https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1412916/download - https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1412921/download - https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa21-200a - https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa21-200b - https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/07/statement-on-chinas-cyber-campaigns.html - https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/uk-allies-hold-chinese-state-responsible-for-pervasive-pattern-of-hacking - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-allies-hold-chinese-state-responsible-for-a-pervasive-pattern-of-hacking - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/447239/government-points-finger-at-china-over-cyber-attacks - https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/australia-joins-international-partners-attribution-malicious-cyber-activity-china - https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/danwa/press6e_000312.html - https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/07/19/declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-eu-urging-china-to-take-action-against-malicious-cyber-activities-undertaken-from-its-territory - https://www.mandiant.com/resources/insights/apt-groups - https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RWMFIi - https://decoded.avast.io/threatintel/outbreak-of-follina-in-australia - https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/chasing-currents-espionage-south-china-sea - https://www.accenture.com/_acnmedia/pdf-96/accenture-security-mudcarp.pdf - https://blog.google/threat-analysis-group/government-backed-actors-exploiting-winrar-vulnerability/ ## Frequently asked questions ### Who is APT40? APT40 is an espionage group thought to operate from China, with suspected state backing. Public reporting about it is still limited. ### Where is APT40 thought to be based? Public reporting places APT40 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 APT40 target? In public reporting, sectors named include government and private sector, and 13 countries and victims are named, including United States, Hong Kong, The Philippines and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. ### How do I know if APT40 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. ## Check whether it matters to your business A free Precursor Intelligence account (no card needed) matches the software you run against known flaws, including those linked to threat groups, ranks each one from 0 to 100 and tells you as soon as we spot something that affects you. It also shows which threat groups and ransomware gangs are hitting your sector, with profiles of over 900 groups and a PDF dossier for each. - Start free: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/register - Book a demo: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/contact