Viet Son Net

There was more than one hack attack roaming through cyberspace in January. While the Google attack and other big-name victims got the most attention, Intel faced its own unrelated intrusion.

“We did not see the kind of broad-based attack as described by Google,” Intel spokesman Chuck Mulloy told Wired magazine. “Companies routinely see hackers trying to get into their system. It is a risk factor and that’s why it was in the 10-K. We’ve seen no loss of [intellectual property] as a result of any of these attacks.”

Intel disclosed its hack attack in its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It didn’t reveal what information was lost and didn’t make a separate announcement that it had happened. Nevertheless, it is another example of the dangers for private sector companies. It comes on top of an attack against Google and more than 30 companies that has been traced to two schools in China.

In its SEC filing, Intel acknowledged that it’s facing attacks on a regular basis.

“These attempts, which might be the result of industrial or other espionage, or actions by hackers seeking to harm the company, its products, or end users, are sometimes successful,” Intel said.

Intel acknowledged a business reality, too. These attacks could “adversely affect our competitive position and reduce marketplace acceptance of our products.”

For more on the Intel hack attack:
- see this Wired.com article