Change of China’s Honker Hackers into State-Aligned Cyber warriors

The Birth of Honker Hackers: Nationalism Meets Technology

During the early days of China’s internet expansion in the 1990s, a wave of self-taught hackers emerged from academic and research environments. These young technologists formed informal groups such as Xfocus, China Eagle Union, and The Honker Union of China. Known as “honkers”-a name combining the Mandarin words for “red” (hong) and “dark visitor” (heike),meaning hacker-they initially connected through dial-up bulletin boards to exchange hacking techniques and explore digital systems.

Unlike many Western hacker communities driven by curiosity or competition, these Chinese hackers were deeply motivated by patriotism. influential figures like Taiwanese hacker Lin Zhenglong (“coolfire”) championed ethical hacking principles focused on strengthening cybersecurity rather than causing harm. Lin’s manuals stressed avoiding government or military networks, minimizing damage during tests, and restoring affected systems promptly.

Patriotic Cyber Campaigns Sparked by Geopolitical Tensions

The originally cautious stance shifted sharply in response to international incidents perceived as threats to Chinese sovereignty or national pride. In 1998, after anti-Chinese riots erupted in Indonesia, Honkers coordinated website defacements and denial-of-service attacks targeting Indonesian government portals. similar cyber reprisals followed in 1999 when Taiwan’s leadership promoted policies challenging Beijing’s one-China principle.

In 2000, Japanese officials’ denial of past atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre-where an estimated 300,000 civilians perished during Japan’s occupation-triggered extensive cyber campaigns against Japanese governmental and corporate websites with detailed target lists compiled for coordinated attacks.

This surge in patriotic cyber offensives forged a unique identity among Chinese hackers distinct from their Western peers who often prioritized intellectual challenge or fame; instead, Honkers pledged allegiance to national interests above personal gain under banners like that of the China Eagle Union.

The Expansion Era: Growth Amid Rising Government Interest

The patriotic fervor fueled rapid growth within these communities; estimates indicate that around 2005-2006 the Honker Union alone boasted approximately 80,000 members with thousands more affiliated across groups like Green Army. While most participants remained hobbyists seeking online adventure, an elite faction known colloquially as the Red 40 surfaced-individuals whose advanced skills would later form the backbone of China’s state-sponsored cyber operations.

No conclusive proof exists that early grassroots activities were directly orchestrated by authorities; though military officials publicly lauded their patriotism while official scrutiny increased due to alignment with national security goals. Public opinion was overwhelmingly supportive too-with surveys showing over 80% approval among Chinese internet users for patriotic hacking efforts at that time.

A Defining Moment: The Hainan Island Incident Alters Cyber Strategy

Tensions escalated dramatically following a mid-air collision near Hainan Island in April 2001 between a US reconnaissance plane and a Chinese fighter jet. This incident sparked retaliatory cyberattacks from both American hacktivists and Chinese Honkers targeting critical infrastructure-a digital battleground reflecting geopolitical conflict escalation.

Concerned about uncontrolled hacktivist actions labeled “web terrorism” by state media-and wary of diplomatic repercussions-the Chinese Communist Party began publicly distancing itself from autonomous hacker collectives while together imposing stricter internal controls over cyberspace activities.

divergence Within: Professionalization Versus Fragmentation Post-Regulation

Following intensified regulation starting around 2003-and especially after laws criminalizing unauthorized network intrusions took effect circa 2009-the once-unified community fractured along ideological lines:

• Civilian cybersecurity experts: Many transitioned into legitimate roles at major tech firms such as Baidu, Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd., Huawei Technologies Co., or specialized security companies focusing on defensive measures;
• Cybercriminal entrepreneurs: Some exploited their expertise for illicit ventures including malware development or ransomware schemes;
• State-affiliated contractors: A significant subset was recruited into military-linked units under organizations like the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) or Ministry of State Security (MSS), contributing offensive capabilities through advanced persistent threat (APT) campaigns;
• sovereign espionage facilitators: Others established companies serving intelligence objectives covertly while maintaining commercial facades-for example antivirus vendors doubling as fronts for surveillance operations.

an Illustrative Example: Tan Dailin’s Path From Student Hacker to APT Operative

The career trajectory of tan Dailin vividly illustrates this transformation. As a graduate student at Sichuan University around summer 2005 involved with early honker factions such as Evil Octal & Green Army affiliates collectively known among “Honkers,” he attracted PLA attention through public blog posts detailing exploits against Japanese targets viewed unfriendly toward China.
After excelling in PLA-sponsored hacking competitions-including rigorous month-long training camps focused on tool creation & network infiltration techniques-Tan founded his own group called Network Crack Program Hacker (NCPH). This team developed pioneering malware including GinWui rootkit-a remote-access backdoor considered one of China’s earliest indigenous tools-and reportedly deployed multiple zero-day exploits during high-profile intrusions against U.S.-based corporations throughout spring-summer 2006 under PLA direction.
Initial compensation started modestly (~$250/month), rising substantially post-operation (~$1K/month). Later shifting allegiance toward MSS-linked APT41 operations responsible for breaches affecting over one hundred global targets-including healthcare providers & telecom firms-Tan faced U.S federal indictments highlighting his deep integration within China’s state-sponsored cyber espionage ecosystem before age thirty-six.

The Institutionalization Of Recruitment And Corporate Espionage Fronts

The formal recruitment process accelerated notably after NCPH-related incidents circa mid-2000s coinciding with global events such as Beijing Olympics preparations where cybersecurity became nationally prioritized.
Legal reforms further suppressed independent hacking forums forcing many operatives underground or into sanctioned roles.
Some arrested individuals reportedly negotiated reduced sentences by agreeing to intelligence service contracts-as speculated regarding Tan Dailin who later launched Anvisoft antivirus firm potentially serving dual commercial-intelligence functions around early-2010s.

• zeng Xiaoyong (“envymask”) & Zhou Shuai (“coldface”), former honker veterans contracted extensively across multiple PLA/MSS-backed APT units including APT17/27/41 via shell companies embedded within legitimate enterprises;

• Boutique firms Topsec & Venustech openly employed ex-Honkers acknowledging ties to military directives; Topsec historically linked to major data breaches such as Anthem Insurance theft impacting U.S markets;

• Pioneering tools originating within honker circles remain foundational today:
  • “Glacier” RAT released circa late ’90s enabling remote control capabilities still referenced decades later;
  • “X-Scan,” vulnerability scanner dating back two decades widely adopted domestically;
  • “HTRAN,” traffic anonymizer facilitating proxy routing essential for stealthy command-and-control infrastructures since early ’00s;

Evolving Malware Arsenal And Commercial Espionage Linked To Former Hackers

• NCPH members credited with creating PlugX backdoor circa ’08 used extensively across more than ten distinct APT clusters;
  Zhou Jibing further enhanced it developing shadowpad platform integral to recent espionage campaigns attributed to APT41 et al.;
  
• A recent exposé revealed internal documents from i-Soon-a company founded by Wu Haibo (“shutdown”), formerly associated with Green Army-that detailed clandestine MSS/MPS-directed spying activities leading up to indictments involving multiple employees charged internationally;< / li >
• Cai Jingjing (“cbird”), another ex-Green Army member established Integrity Tech which faced sanctions due its involvement in global infrastructure compromises;< / li >
• Zhou Shuai & Wu Haibo indicted recently amid allegations combining state-directed hacks alongside illicit data sales servicing intelligence clients worldwide;< / li >

  < h2 >Global Comparisons On Integration Of Hackers Into State Apparatus< / h2 >
  < p >The evolution seen among former Chinese honkers parallels patterns observed historically among American hackers transitioning first into cybersecurity entrepreneurship before recruitment by agencies like NSA/CIA-or contracting arms thereof-but differs significantly given China’s comprehensive societal mobilization approach compelling citizens plus private sector actors alike toward collaboration under party-state directives.< / p >
  < p >< strong >“China recognized early how effectively it could harness nationalist motivations,”< / strong > experts note,< em >“providing young patriots opportunities aligned ideologically yet financially rewarding.”< / em >< / p >