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Symantec Discovers Highly Sophisticated Chinese Hacking Tool

In its research report, Symantec calls the tool Daxin and describes it as the most advanced piece of malware researchers have seen.

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symantec discovers highly sophisticated chinese cyber espionage tool

In August 2021, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) established the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC), a public-private cybersecurity information sharing partnership whose purpose is to unify defensive actions and drive down risk in advance of cyber incidents occurring. Now, one JCDC member, American cybersecurity software company Symantec, has discovered a never-before-seen hacking tool that has been successfully hiding for over a decade.

In its research report, Symantec calls the tool Daxin and describes it as the most advanced piece of malware Symantec researchers have seen.

Based on instances where components of the tool were combined with known Chinese hacking infrastructure, it’s almost certain that Daxin has originated from China. What’s more, the computers on which Daxin was discovered were also infected with other tools Chinese espionage actors are known to use.

symantec daxin methodology

“The malware appears to be used in a long-running espionage campaign against select governments and other critical infrastructure targets” explains Symantec’s Treat Hunter Team. “Most of the targets appear to be organizations and governments of strategic interest to China”.

Daxin allows attackers to perform various communications and data-gathering operations, and it appears to be optimized to perform especially well against hardened targets that can withstand less sophisticated attacks.

Also Read: How To Change Your Wi-Fi Password To Keep Intruders At Bay

“Daxin can be controlled from anywhere in the world once a computer is actually infected” said Vikram Thakur, a technical director with Symantec. “That’s what raises the bar from malware that we see coming out of groups operating from China”.

Since the initial discovery of Daxin, the U.S. government has shared the information with foreign partners to collectively stop the tool from spreading from country to country and from network to network.

So far, no organization in the United States has been infected by Daxin, but previous experience with malware like NotPetya, which was created by Russia to attack Ukrainian infrastructure, tells us that heightened caution is appropriate.

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Google Pay Launches In Lebanon With Support From Multiple Banks

Bank Audi, Neo Digital Bank, and Whish Money are all offering support for Mastercard and Visa cardholders.

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google pay launches in lebanon with support from multiple banks
neo Bank Audi

Google Pay has officially launched in Lebanon, allowing Android users to make secure, contactless payments via their smartphones. The rollout has been quickly supported by BLOM, BLF, Whish Money, Bank Audi, and its digital banking offshoot Neo Digital Bank. Customers of all three services can now add eligible Mastercard and Visa payment cards to their Google Wallets.

The integration enables in-store tap-to-pay transactions, as well as online and in-app purchases, using the same cards users already carry. For Bank Audi and Neo Digital Bank, the launch covers Mastercard products; for Whish Money, BLOM, and BLF it includes Visa cards. Payments are processed through the Google Pay platform, which maintains cardholder privacy while extending standard card protections.

To begin using the service, customers can download the Google Wallet app from Google Play, select “Add to Wallet,” and follow a short verification process. Once set up, payments can be made with a single tap — eliminating the need to carry physical cards or cash.

Also Read: Oakley And Meta Reveal Performance-Focused AI Smart Glasses

“This launch represents a significant milestone in our commitment to digital innovation and customer convenience,” said Toufic Koussa, CEO at Whish Money. “By making Whish Visa Card available on Google Pay, we’re enabling our customers to make everyday transactions faster, more secure, and more inclusive. It’s about giving them the tools they need to transact seamlessly, wherever they are”.

The move follows the official activation of Google Pay in Lebanon on June 24, 2025, and marks a notable expansion of mobile payment options in a market where Apple Pay has yet to gain traction. Google’s entry is expected to increase digital wallet adoption among Android users and pave the way for further collaborations with regional financial institutions.

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