US Orders Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company To Halt Shipments Of AI Chips To China - 1

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US Orders Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company To Halt Shipments Of AI Chips To China

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • Huawei is on the U.S. restricted trade list, requiring export licenses for technology.
  • TSMC will suspend shipments of 7nm and below AI chips starting November 11.
  • U.S. actions aim to prevent AI chips from aiding Huawei’s advanced AI development.

The United States has ordered Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to suspend shipments of AI chips to China, following concerns over possible violations of export controls, as first reported by Reuters .

This action is part of ongoing efforts by U.S. lawmakers to tighten export controls on China ’s semiconductor industry amid concerns over national security and technological competition.

The order, reported for the first time on November 10, comes after TSMC disclosed to the US Commerce Department that one of its chips was found in a Huawei AI processor, as reported by Reuters.

The chip was discovered by tech research firm Tech Insights, which had examined the product and flagged a potential violation of export regulations.

Huawei, a company on the U.S. restricted trade list, requires licenses to receive any goods or technology from foreign suppliers, particularly items that could support its AI efforts. Any such licenses are likely to be denied, said Reuters.

TSMC had already suspended shipments to China-based Sophgo after a chip from the company was linked to the Huawei AI processor, which powers Huawei’s Ascend 910B, released in 2022 and regarded as one of the most advanced AI chips from a Chinese company, noted Reuters.

The latest restrictions impact a broader range of companies, enabling the U.S. to investigate whether other entities are inadvertently supplying Huawei with AI chips, said Reuters.

The U.S. rules do not impose a complete ban on TSMC producing chips for China. Instead, they require the Taiwanese company to verify that its Chinese customers have not requested chips with advanced capabilities, noted The New York Times .

As part of the action, TSMC informed clients on November 10 that shipments of chips, including those with 7-nanometer or smaller designs used in AI and GPU applications, would be suspended starting November 11.

Both TSMC and Taiwan’s economy ministry emphasized the company’s commitment to complying with export regulations, though TSMC declined to provide further comment, said Reuters.

The Times notes that experts argue that it’s difficult to assess a chip’s power based solely on its design, making it challenging for TSMC to verify whether the chips ordered by its Chinese customers comply with U.S. requirements.

Cybercriminals Use Fake Cat Websites To Deliver Malware - 2

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Cybercriminals Use Fake Cat Websites To Deliver Malware

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • Attackers use SEO tactics to make malicious sites rank high in search results.
  • GootLoader malware downloads harmful files when users click on compromised sites.
  • The malware enables further attacks by deploying info-stealing software called GootKit.

A new wave of cybercrime targeting Bengal cat enthusiasts in Australia has surfaced, as hackers deploy fake cat-related websites to trick unsuspecting users into downloading malicious software, as first uncovered by Sophos .

The scheme is part of a broader campaign by cybercriminals using a malware program known as GootLoader, which has previously been linked to harmful programs like REVil ransomware and the Gootkit banking trojan, as reported by Sophos.

These attackers rely on “search engine optimization (SEO) poisoning” to make their malicious sites appear at the top of search engine results for specific queries.

For example, people in Australia curious about Bengal cat ownership and legality might search online, only to find a fake, malware-laden site among the top results. When clicked, this site downloads harmful files onto their computer, says Sophos.

Once the malware, known as GootLoader, infiltrates a user’s system, it opens the door for a second stage of malware called GootKit.

GootKit is a “remote access trojan” (RAT) and information-stealing program that can stay hidden on the user’s device, potentially enabling hackers to access sensitive data, control files remotely, or even deploy ransomware, as reported by Sophos.

The cybercriminals behind GootLoader target users by directing them to compromised websites, disguised as legitimate sites containing answers to popular queries, reports Sophos.

In this case, the query “Are Bengal cats legal in Australia?” served as bait, luring users to download an infected file under the guise of informative content. Once downloaded, the malware can stay undetected, establishing a persistent foothold on the victim’s device and enabling further malicious activity, as reported by Sophos.

To protect against this threat, Sophos advise caution when clicking on links, particularly for search results that appear unusually high-ranking or seem unrelated to well-known websites.

While many security programs can detect GootLoader, users should still stay vigilant for suspicious ads or search results that lead to unfamiliar sites. As cybersecurity experts warn, if a search result or link seems too good to be true, it might just be bait.