Key Points
- Hackers linked to China are increasing their cyberattacks on Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.
- The targets include chip companies, their supply chain partners, and even financial investment analysts.
- The attacks are likely driven by U.S. export restrictions on chips, as China seeks to boost its industry.
- Hackers employed deceptive methods, including fake job applications and posing as investment firms, to deliver malware.
Cybersecurity researchers are warning that hackers linked to China are intensifying their attacks on Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and targeting financial analysts who cover it. A new report from cybersecurity firm Proofpoint states that this is part of a string of cyber espionage campaigns.
While hacking the chip sector isn’t new, researchers say they are now seeing more sustained campaigns from several different China-aligned hacking groups. This cyber spying comes as Washington continues to restrict China’s access to advanced U.S. chips, many of which are made in Taiwan. China’s chip industry is scrambling to catch up, making Taiwan’s tech secrets a valuable target.
Proofpoint said at least three separate Chinese-linked groups carried out these campaigns between March and June. Their methods were creative. One group used hacked Taiwanese university email accounts to send malware to companies, pretending to be job applicants. Another group posed as a fake investment firm to trick financial analysts into revealing information.
The researchers declined to name the specific victims but said they ranged from small businesses to large global companies. Major Taiwanese companies, such as TSMC and MediaTek, are key players in the industry.
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington issued a standard denial, stating that China also faces cyber threats. However, another cybersecurity firm in Taiwan, TeamT5, confirmed it has also seen an increase in hacking attempts against the industry, noting that targeting chip companies and their suppliers is a “constant interest” for Chinese hacking groups.
