InfoQ's Chinese site (InfoQ.cn) is not inherently unsafe, and the parent company, C4Media, is a respected publisher of software development content. However, as with any site, users should exercise caution. No specific security vulnerabilities unique to the Chinese version of the site were found in recent searches, but here are some general security considerations for using InfoQ.cn or any other Chinese website:
The wider context of Chinese websites
It is important to understand the broader digital environment in China, which has a different regulatory and security landscape than Western countries. This context includes:
- Government surveillance: The Chinese government maintains significant control over online content and data. This is not an InfoQ-specific issue, but a national one.
- Targeted cyberattacks: Chinese-backed hacking groups are known to target foreign entities and Chinese-speaking users, and numerous malware campaigns have targeted Chinese users in recent years. While there is no evidence InfoQ.cn is involved, it is important to be aware of the overall threat landscape.
- Malware distribution: Historically, malicious software has been distributed through seemingly legitimate channels to Chinese-speaking users.
