A group of security companies say a collaborative effort has helped counter several hacking tools used by a China-based group. The group is believed to have been behind “Operation Aurora,” a cyberespionage campaign revealed in 2010. Google said the attack stole some of its intellectual property and also appeared to target the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists. The companies said their efforts have led to a better level of protection in their products against the group. How long the effort will stymie the hackers remains to be seen.”]