TSMC says computer virus will slow shipments and cause additional costs

TSMC anticipates that a recent computer virus outbreak, which occurred due to misoperation during the software installation process for a new tool and affected a number of computer systems and fab tools in Taiwan, will cause shipment delays and additional costs.

The degree of infection varied by fab, according to TSMC, who said it has since contained the problem and found a solution. About 80% of the company’s impacted tools have been recovered, and the company expects full recovery on August 6.

In a statement, TSMC said: “We estimate the impact to third quarter revenue to be about three per cent, and impact to gross margin to be about one percentage point. The company is confident shipments delayed in third quarter will be recovered in the fourth quarter 2018, and maintains its forecast of high single-digit revenue growth for 2018 in U.S. dollars given on July 19, 2018.”

TSMC has said data integrity and confidential information was not compromised during the breach and it has now taken actions to close this security gap and further strengthen security measures.