TSMC, Apple’s Chipmaker, Hit with a Ransomware Attack, LockBit Asks for $70M to Prevent Leaks

The famous technology company behind the Apple processors like the A-series Bionic chips and the M-series SoCs, was recently hit with a ransomware attack. The LockBit ransomware gang already took responsibility for the attack, notoriously known for its global activities and ties to Russia, having some of its members from the country.

It is demanding a $70 million ransom demand from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), or else it would leak all the stolen data it managed to steal from the company.

TSMC was Hit with Ransomware Attack, LockBit Demands $70M

TechCrunch reported that TSMC's partner was hit with a ransomware attack, more specifically, one of its IT hardware suppliers, Kinmax Technology, with LockBit already owning up to the attack. The ransomware group is demanding a ransom payment of $70 million to keep the stolen data from getting leaked to the public.

Kinmax made this known to TSMC, with the company's services centering on setting up the server's initial setup and configuration. The attacked company also said that several pieces of information were leaked last Thursday, but the reports did not expand more on how serious the attack was or how much was taken.

Other clients of Kinmax include Microsoft, Citrix, Cisco, VMWare, and HPE.

Stolen Sensitive Data Would be Leaked, is Apple Included?

As per 9to5 Mac, TSMC already confirmed that this attack did not affect its business operations and customer information, despite Kinmax Technology's hand on its servers. This means that this should not be a massive cause of concern for TSMC's customers, including Apple, one of its largest partners in the tech landscape.

TSMC and the LockBit Ransomware Gang

TSMC remains the top supplier of Apple for all chip needs, with the company centering on creating the semiconductors designed by the Cupertino giant which it uses for multiple technologies.

The company is best accounted for chips including the A-series processors which power the iPhone and iPad lineups, and the M-series chips which first debuted in 2020.

Adding insult to the injury, LockBit was reported earlier this year to be targeting Macs, with their ransomware attacks and other threats recently observed within the computer. Its ransomware looks into secretly stealing information from Mac users to blackmail them and ask for money in return, being one of the most notorious groups in this age.

The hacker group's most recent activity was said to not have affected its businesses and customer data, meaning that Apple and other partners are safe in the incident. While this does not significantly affect its operations, especially with Kinmax Technology, the stolen data remains unknown, not knowing the extent of what it would take from the company.