Hackers exploited security flaws in networks created to allow people to work from home during the pandemic

The Chinese government is facing “unimaginable” losses of secret data after its computers were hacked, a cybersecurity company claimed.

Qihoo 360, a Beijing internet security firm, said that Darkhotel, a shadowy organisation that has been linked to both North and South Korea, penetrated “Chinese enterprises and institutions” in 19 countries.

The group took advantage of networks established to allow employees to work at home during the coronavirus pandemic. According to Qihoo 360, Darkhotel exploited security flaws in a virtual private network (VPN), an online “tunnel” that allows people working from remote locations to connect directly with a central computer and work as if they were in their offices.

The company said in a report: “Chinese enterprises and institutions abroad have adopted the remote working mode