China-Backed Hackers Intensify Attacks on Taiwan Chipmakers

3 State-Sponsored Groups Spear-Phish Semiconductor Ecosystem Prajeet Nair (@prajeetspeaks) • July 17, 2025

Chinese state-aligned hackers have ramped up espionage efforts against Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem through spear-phishing campaigns.

See Also: Beyond Replication & Versioning: Securing S3 Data in the Face of Advanced Ransomware Attacks

Between March and June, three distinct threat actors - UNK_FistBump, UNK_DropPitch and UNK_SparkyCarp - targeted chipmakers, packaging and testing firms, equipment suppliers and even financial analysts tracking the semiconductor sector, with espionage as the likely motive, according to a report by Proofpoint.

"Targets of these campaigns ranged from organizations involved in the manufacturing, design,= and testing of semiconductors and integrated circuits, wider equipment and services supply chain entities within this sector, as well as financial investment analysts specializing in the Taiwanese semiconductor market," Proofpoint said.

UNK_FistBump used job-themed lures, posing ...