Latest news with #Chinese-related
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
China-linked hackers target Taiwan's chip industry with increasing attacks, researchers say
By AJ Vicens Chinese-linked hackers are targeting the Taiwanese semiconductor industry and investment analysts as part of a string of cyber espionage campaigns, researchers said on Wednesday. While hacking to steal data and information about the industry is not new, there is an increase in sustained hacking campaigns from several China-aligned hacking groups, researchers with cybersecurity firm Proofpoint said in a new analysis. "We've seen entities that we hadn't ever seen being targeted in the past being targeted," said Mark Kelly, a threat researcher focused on Chinese-related threats at Proofpoint. The previously unreported hacking campaigns were carried out by at least three distinct Chinese-linked groups primarily between March and June of this year, with some activity likely ongoing, Proofpoint said. They come amid rising restrictions by Washington on exports to China of U.S.-designed chips that are often manufactured in Taiwan. China's chip industry has been working to replace its dwindling supply of sophisticated U.S. chips, especially those used in artificial intelligence. The researchers declined to identify the hacking targets, but told Reuters that approximately 15 to 20 organizations ranging from small businesses, analysts employed by at least one U.S.-headquartered international bank, and large global enterprises faced attacks. Major Taiwanese semiconductor firms include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co , MediaTek , United Microelectronics Corp, Nanya Technology and RealTek Semiconductor. TSMC declined to comment. MediaTek, UMC, Nanya and RealTek did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters was unable to identify the specific hacking targets or determine whether any of the efforts were successful. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington told Reuters in an email that cyber attacks "are a common threat faced by all countries, China included," and that the Asian country "firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyber attacks and cyber crime - a position that is consistent and clear." The activity ranged from one or two emails sent as part of the more targeted campaign focused on specific people, to as many as 80 emails when trying to gain information from the company at large, Kelly said. One group targeted semiconductor design, manufacturing and supply-chain organizations using compromised Taiwanese university email accounts to pose as job seekers and send malware via PDFs with URLs leading to malicious files, or a password-protected archive. Another targeted financial analysts at major unnamed investment firms focused on the Taiwanese semiconductor industry by posing as a fictitious investment firm and seeking collaboration. Two of the entities are based in Asia, while the third is based in the U.S. The FBI declined to comment. A representative of TeamT5, a cybersecurity firm based in Taiwan, told Reuters that it had also seen an increase in emails being sent targeting the semiconductor industry tied to a few hacking groups, "but not a wide or general phenomenon." Targeting of semiconductors and the supply chain around them "is a persistent threat that has existed for long," the representative said, and a "constant interest" for Chinese-related advanced hacking operators. These groups often target "peripheral suppliers or related industries," the representative said, such as a situation in June where a China-linked hacking group identified by TeamT5 as "Amoeba" launched a phishing campaign against an unnamed chemical company that plays a critical role in the semiconductor supply chain.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
China-linked hackers target Taiwan's chip industry with increasing attacks, researchers say
Chinese-linked hackers are targeting the Taiwanese semiconductor industry and investment analysts as part of a string of cyber espionage campaigns, researchers said on Wednesday. While hacking to steal data and information about the industry is not new, there is an increase in sustained hacking campaigns from several China-aligned hacking groups, researchers with cybersecurity firm Proofpoint said in a new analysis. 'We've seen entities that we hadn't ever seen being targeted in the past being targeted,' said Mark Kelly, a threat researcher focused on Chinese-related threats at Proofpoint. The previously unreported hacking campaigns were carried out by at least three distinct Chinese-linked groups primarily between March and June of this year, with some activity likely ongoing, Proofpoint said. They come amid rising restrictions by Washington on exports to China of U.S.-designed chips that are often manufactured in Taiwan. China's chip industry has been working to replace its dwindling supply of sophisticated U.S. chips, especially those used in artificial intelligence. The researchers declined to identify the hacking targets, but told Reuters that approximately 15 to 20 organisations ranging from small businesses, analysts employed by at least one U.S.-headquartered international bank, and large global enterprises faced attacks. Major Taiwanese semiconductor firms include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, MediaTek, United Microelectronics Corp, Nanya Technology and RealTek Semiconductor. TSMC declined to comment. MediaTek, UMC, Nanya and RealTek did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters was unable to identify the specific hacking targets or determine whether any of the efforts were successful. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington told Reuters in an email that cyber attacks 'are a common threat faced by all countries, China included,' and that the Asian country 'firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyber attacks and cyber crime — a position that is consistent and clear.' The activity ranged from one or two emails sent as part of the more targeted campaign focused on specific people, to as many as 80 emails when trying to gain information from the company at large, Kelly said. One group targeted semiconductor design, manufacturing and supply-chain organisations using compromised Taiwanese university email accounts to pose as job seekers and send malware via PDFs with URLs leading to malicious files, or a password-protected archive. Another targeted financial analysts at major unnamed investment firms focused on the Taiwanese semiconductor industry by posing as a fictitious investment firm and seeking collaboration. Two of the entities are based in Asia, while the third is based in the U.S. The FBI declined to comment. A representative of TeamT5, a cybersecurity firm based in Taiwan, told Reuters that it had also seen an increase in emails being sent targeting the semiconductor industry tied to a few hacking groups, 'but not a wide or general phenomenon.' Targeting of semiconductors and the supply chain around them 'is a persistent threat that has existed for long,' the representative said, and a 'constant interest' for Chinese-related advanced hacking operators. These groups often target 'peripheral suppliers or related industries,' the representative said, such as a situation in June where a China-linked hacking group identified by TeamT5 as "Amoeba" launched a phishing campaign against an unnamed chemical company that plays a critical role in the semiconductor supply chain.
Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
China-linked hackers target Taiwan's chip industry with increasing attacks, researchers say
The previously unreported hacking campaigns were carried out by at least three distinct Chinese-linked groups primarily between March and June of 2025. TAIPEI - Chinese-linked hackers are targeting the Taiwanese semiconductor industry and investment analysts as part of a string of cyber espionage campaigns, researchers said on July 16. While hacking to steal data and information about the industry is not new, there is an increase in sustained hacking campaigns from several China-aligned hacking groups, researchers with cybersecurity firm Proofpoint said in a new analysis. 'We've seen entities that we hadn't ever seen being targeted in the past being targeted,' said Mr Mark Kelly, a threat researcher focused on Chinese-related threats at Proofpoint. The previously unreported hacking campaigns were carried out by at least three distinct Chinese-linked groups primarily between March and June of 2025, with some activity likely ongoing, Proofpoint said. They come amid rising restrictions by Washington on exports to China of US-designed chips that are often manufactured in Taiwan. China's chip industry has been working to replace its dwindling supply of sophisticated US chips, especially those used in artificial intelligence. The researchers declined to identify the hacking targets, but told Reuters that approximately 15 to 20 organisations ranging from small businesses, analysts employed by at least one US-headquartered international bank, and large global enterprises faced attacks. Major Taiwanese semiconductor firms include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, MediaTek, United Microelectronics Corp, Nanya Technology and RealTek Semiconductor. TSMC declined to comment. MediaTek, UMC, Nanya and RealTek did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters was unable to identify the specific hacking targets or determine whether any of the efforts were successful. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington told Reuters in an email that cyber attacks 'are a common threat faced by all countries, China included', and that the Asian country 'firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyber attacks and cyber crime – a position that is consistent and clear'. The activity ranged from one or two emails sent as part of the more targeted campaign focused on specific people, to as many as 80 emails when trying to gain information from the company at large, Mr Kelly said. One group targeted semiconductor design, manufacturing and supply-chain organisations using compromised Taiwanese university email accounts to pose as job seekers and send malware via PDFs with URLs leading to malicious files, or a password-protected archive. Another targeted financial analysts at major unnamed investment firms focused on the Taiwanese semiconductor industry by posing as a fictitious investment firm and seeking collaboration. Two of the entities are based in Asia, while the third is based in the US. The FBI declined to comment. A representative of TeamT5, a cybersecurity firm based in Taiwan, told Reuters that it had also seen an increase in emails being sent targeting the semiconductor industry tied to a few hacking groups, 'but not a wide or general phenomenon'. Targeting of semiconductors and the supply chain around them 'is a persistent threat that has existed for long,' the representative said, and a 'constant interest' for Chinese-related advanced hacking operators. These groups often target 'peripheral suppliers or related industries', the representative said, such as a situation in June where a China-linked hacking group identified by TeamT5 as 'Amoeba' launched a phishing campaign against an unnamed chemical company that plays a critical role in the semiconductor supply chain. REUTERS
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arkansas blocks Chinese-based platforms DeepSeek, RedNote and Lemon8 from executive branch devices
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas has made another step aiming to block some Chinese-related relations in the state. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Thursday that Arkansas has blocked Chinese-based platforms DeepSeek, RedNote and Lemon8 across executive branch devices. Chinese state-owned company ordered to divest Arkansas agricultural land under new state law DeepSeek is an AI app similar to ChatGPT while RedNote and Lemon8 are social media apps that let uses share content. Many may remember RedNote gaining popularity following the ban of TikTok earlier this year. Chief Information Officer Gary Vance claims that the apps have raised concerns about data privacy. 'The Arkansas state cyber office has initiated network blocks on social media services that include DeepSeek, RedNote and Lemon8. These applications developed by Chinese companies have raised concerns about data privacy and the risk of unauthorized access to critical infrastructure,' Vance said. 'The primary objective in blocking access to these applications is to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive information from potential espionage or unauthorized data access by foreign entities, particularly the Chinese Communist Party.' Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders announces legislative package preventing Chinese government activity in state Last month, Sanders announced the Communist China Defense Legislative Package, which blocks China from doing business in the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rhoden bans Chinese apps for state government
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden announced two new additions to an existing Executive Order banning Chinese-related technology for use in state government. Rhoden announced the South Dakota Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT) banned the Chinese applications DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence company, and RedNote, a Chinese social media app, pursuant to former Gov. Kristi Noem's Executive Order 2023-06. Myah Selland speaks out against anti-trans legislation Rhoden's press release said 'This action was taken for the security of South Dakotans' personal information against the threat of the Chinese Communist Party, which the State of South Dakota has designated as an 'Evil Foreign Government.' 'Banning RedNote and DeepSeek is a necessary step to protect our IT systems and keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free,' Rhoden said in the release. 'My administration will proactively identify, monitor, and respond to cybersecurity threats across the state.' Noem signed EO 2023-06 in May 2023, which gave the Commissioner of BIT the power to ban any other application, website, platform, service, or product whose use or access would be detrimental to state security. Similar to the bans on Bytedance and Tencent, this ban extends to both use on state devices and state employees' use on their personal devices while on state time. You can find a list of banned entities on the BIT website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
