A group of Chinese hackers has been targetting Taiwan’s semiconductor companies over the past two years, according to a now released connection between the hacks and China by a Taiwanese cybersecurity company CyCraft.
In April, CyCraft published about hacking activities that were targeted the country’s semiconductors companies. However, at that time, there did not have enough data to determine the origins of these hacks. Months later, the cybersecurity group company is now confident that the hacks were carried out by a Chinese hacking group called Chimera.
CyCraft was able to determine that these hacks were state-based attacks and they believe that the targets were strategically chosen to compromise “Taiwan’s standing and power” and bring down the entire semiconductor industry in the country.
Semiconductor companies compromised
The hackers were able to compromise 7 semiconductor companies in a span of two years, according to the cybersecurity firm CyCraft. However, the firm was not able to determine what the hackers were doing with the information they were getting from their successful hacks. They indicated that the hackers were targetting source codes and semiconductor designs.
Speculation about the usage of data, however, included theories such as using the data to improve competing products that would give them an edge over Taiwan’s products. There was also a possibility that the hackers were selling the information to other competitors in China or even using the information to gain access to products once they are released, ensuring that they are always compromised once they hit the market.
CyCraft said they were able to hack the hackers and determine some patterns that pointed to China’s involvement. Among the top giveaways on China’s involvement was the working hours, where these hackers used China working hours to operate. The hackers also used a simpler form of the Chinese language used in China for their hacking. They also observed Chinese holidays, where they failed to turn up to ‘work’ and continue with hacking during China’s special celebrations.
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