VOLT TYPHOON: China's Secret War on America's Power Grid

By Mark Nole

The Invisible Attack on American Soil

While politicians bicker over trivial matters, a silent invasion has been taking place in America's most critical infrastructure. The Chinese government, through its military hacking group known as "Volt Typhoon," has already penetrated our electric grid, water systems, and communications networks.

This isn't speculation or fear-mongering – it's confirmed fact. These hackers dwelled in one American electric utility for over 300 days, studying how our power grid works and preparing for a moment when they could shut it all down with the push of a button.

The Taiwan Connection They Don't Want You to Know About

Here's what the mainstream media won't tell you: In April 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that Chinese officials privately admitted to conducting the Volt Typhoon attacks as a warning to the United States about Taiwan. This admission came during a secret meeting in Geneva in December 2024.

The message is clear: If America defends Taiwan from Chinese aggression, they plan to cripple our infrastructure in retaliation.

The Biden Administration's Failure

The Volt Typhoon attacks have been ongoing since at least 2021, with little to no public awareness until recently. For years, these foreign attackers embedded themselves in critical systems while our government kept Americans in the dark.

It wasn't until May 2023 that our intelligence agencies finally acknowledged the threat publicly. By then, the damage was already done – the hackers had established deep, persistent access to systems that control our daily lives.

Not Just Another Hack – A Military Operation

Don't be fooled into thinking this is just routine cybercrime. FBI Director Christopher Wray stated plainly that "Volt Typhoon malware enabled China to find and prepare to destroy or degrade the civilian critical infrastructure that keeps us safe and prosperous."

This isn't about stealing credit card numbers or corporate secrets. This is about preparing for war.

The Most Vulnerable Targets

The Chinese hackers specifically targeted:

• •Electric utilities and power grids
• •Water treatment facilities
• •Communications networks
• •Transportation systems
• •Military facilities, including the strategic base in Guam

These are the systems that Americans rely on every day, and the very ones that would need to function properly if our military needed to mobilize in defense of Taiwan or other allies in Asia.

How They Got In

The most shocking part? Many of these breaches exploited basic vulnerabilities:

• •Weak administrator passwords
• •Factory default logins
• •Outdated routers and security cameras
• •Unpatched systems

Instead of sophisticated methods, they often used ordinary maintenance tools already built into Windows systems to avoid detection. This "living off the land" approach made their activities blend in with normal network operations.

What Washington Isn't Telling You

The uncomfortable truth is that Washington knew about these threats but failed to adequately protect our infrastructure. Even worse, the elite media continues to downplay the severity, treating this as just another technical story rather than what it truly is – an act of war preparation by a hostile foreign power.

The Chinese government officially denies any involvement, calling Volt Typhoon a "misinformation campaign" – yet behind closed doors, they've admitted their role as a warning about Taiwan.

The Vulnerable Devices in Your Home

The most alarming part of this story? These Chinese hackers aren't just targeting big government systems – they're infiltrating everyday Americans' homes through common routers and networking equipment.

According to security researchers and FBI reports, Volt Typhoon specifically targets these vulnerable devices:

• •Cisco RV320/325 routers (discontinued in 2019, but still in many homes)
• •NETGEAR ProSAFE firewalls (particularly older models)
• •DrayTek Vigor routers (various models)
• •Zyxel home cable modems (recently compromised)
• •Axis IP cameras (used for home security)

These are not obscure devices – they're in millions of American homes and small businesses. The Chinese hackers specifically look for "end-of-life" equipment that no longer receives security updates, making them perfect entry points for their attacks.

What You Can Do To Protect Yourself

While Washington continues to play catch-up with this threat, here are specific steps you should take to protect your home and family:

1. Check if you have vulnerable devices: Look at the model numbers on your routers and networking equipment. If you have any of the devices listed above, especially older models, consider replacing them immediately.
2. Disable remote access to your router: Never allow your router to be managed from outside your home network. This is often enabled by default, creating a massive security hole.
3. Update firmware immediately: If your router isn't end-of-life, ensure it has the latest security updates installed.
4. Change default passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for both your administrator access and your WiFi network.
5. Disable unnecessary features: Turn off Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and WiFi Protected Setup (WPS), which create additional vulnerabilities.
6. Change your network name (SSID): Don't use the default name that identifies your router model to potential attackers.
7. Use WPA3 encryption: This is the strongest WiFi security available. If your device doesn't support it, use WPA2 at minimum.
8. Prepare for potential disruptions: Have backup power sources, emergency supplies, and communication methods that don't rely on the power grid or internet.

The FBI has already taken down parts of Volt Typhoon's hacking network, but security experts warn that thousands of compromised devices remain active across America. Don't wait for the government to protect you – take action now.

The Bottom Line

The Volt Typhoon attacks represent a clear and present danger to our national security. China has effectively placed digital bombs throughout our critical infrastructure, ready to detonate if and when they decide to make a move against Taiwan or other U.S. interests.

Americans deserve to know the full truth about these threats and demand real action to secure our vital systems. Our leaders need to be held accountable for allowing foreign adversaries to penetrate the heart of our nation's infrastructure.

The next time you flip a light switch or turn on the faucet, remember that a foreign military has already mapped out how to take those simple comforts away as part of their strategy against America.