According to the indictment,Chinese hackers penetrated the computer systems of an"Australian domain name registrar",named only as"Company L"as part of a broader plan to enable the hackers to access computer systems at aviation companies in the United States and Europe.
Under direction from the Chinese Ministry of State Security,the hackers are accused of either creating fake domain names or redirecting existing domain names to malicious addresses.
"Members of the conspiracy hacked into protected computers,"the indictment alleges.
Loading
It suggests the Australian domain name registrar was used as a back door into the aviation companies'systems during a hacking operation which lasted for five years until 2015.
The case forms part of Washington's escalating trade war with Beijing. Along with higher tariffs on Chinese goods,the US is seeking to stop the theft of US intellectual property by agencies such as the Ministry of State Security.
In announcing criminal charges against 10 Chinese spies,hackers and others on October 30th,US Assistant Attorney General John Demers said,"this is just the beginning".