Security News

Chipmaker Microchip reveals cyber attack whacked manufacturing capacity
2024-08-21 01:15

US semiconductor manufacturing firm Microchip Technology has revealed an "Unauthorized party disrupted the Company's use of certain servers and some business operation." The company took actions including isolating the relevant systems, shutting down others, and calling in external cyber security advisors to understand the extent of the mess.

Chipmaker Nexperia confirms breach after ransomware gang leaks data
2024-04-15 16:00

Dutch chipmaker Nexperia confirmed late last week that hackers breached its network in March 2024 after a ransomware gang leaked samples of allegedly stolen data. In a press statement on Friday, the company disclosed a data breach that forced it to shut down IT systems and launch an investigation to determine the scope of impact.

Seoul accuses North Korea of stealing southern chipmakers' designs
2024-03-04 20:00

North Korean government spies have broken into the servers of at least two chipmakers and stolen product designs as part of attempts to spur Kim Jong Un's plans for a domestic semiconductor industry, according to Seoul's security agency. After exploiting vulnerabilities to gain access - the NIS doesn't specify which the miscreants abused - the North Korean cyberspies used "Living off the land" techniques to remain hidden.

Top chipmakers ignore India's semiconductor factory subsidies
2022-02-21 01:17

India has revealed the identities of companies that have applied to build semiconductor manufacturing facilities on its soil under a $10 billion subsidy scheme - and none are substantial chipmakers. As The Register reported last week, a consortium of Taiwan's Foxconn and Indian firm Vedanta committed to build a plant under the scheme, despite neither company having any previous experience in the field.

Windows giant seeks Pluton-ic relationship with chipmaker: AMD first out of the gates with Microsoft's security processor
2022-01-05 12:11

The RPG Greetings, traveller, and welcome back to The Register Plays Games, our monthly gaming column. In terms of quality at the point of release, Halo Infinite has stepped out as the clear winner.

Chipmaker Intel Corp. Blames Internal Error on Data Leak
2021-01-23 20:23

The computer chipmaker Intel Corp. on Friday blamed an internal error for a data leak that prompted it to release a quarterly earnings report early. The company's chief financial officer, George Davis, had earlier told The Financial Times that Intel published its earnings ahead of the stock market's close on Thursday because it believed a hacker stole financially sensitive information from the site.

Conti Gang Hits IoT Chipmaker Advantech with $14M Ransom Demand
2020-11-30 21:19

Advantech, the chip manufacturer, has confirmed that it received a ransom note from a Conti ransomware operation on Nov. 26 demanding 750 Bitcoin, which translates into about $14 million, to decrypt compromised files and delete the data they stole. Professionalized ransomware groups including Conti, Ragnar Locker, Maze, Clop and others have been exploiting security holes created by the emergency shift to remote work due to the pandemic, coupled with well-publicized leak sites to wreak havoc and wring millions out of unsuspecting companies like Advantech.

U.S. Restriction on Chipmakers Deals Critical Blow to Huawei
2020-05-18 11:07

The latest U.S. sanctions on tech giant Huawei threaten to devastate the company and escalate a feud with China that could disrupt technology industries worldwide. Huawei Technologies Ltd. is one of the biggest makers of smartphones and network equipment, but that $123 billion-a-year business is in jeopardy after Washington announced further restrictions on use of American technology by foreign companies that make its processor chips.

iPhone chipmaker blames ransomware for factory shutdowns
2018-08-07 12:51

Taiwan chipmaker TSMC is back up and running, and pinning the blame for its shutdown on an infection by WannaCry ransomware.

WannaCry Outbreak Hits Chipmaker, Could Cost $170 Million
2018-08-07 10:47

Factories Crippled After WannaCry Variant Infects Unpatched Windows 7 MachinesA WannaCry outbreak has hit unpatched Windows 7 systems at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., crippling its...