Did U.S., U.K. Spies Attack SIM-Card Maker Gemalto's Network?

Gemalto NV, the world’s largest provider of high-security mobile-phone and bank-card chips, said U.S. and U.K. spies were probably behind the most sophisticated computer attacks on its networks in at least five years -- though failed to steal a large amount of data.

Intrusions into the outer layer of Gemalto’s networks in 2010 and 2011 appear to be linked to operations by U.S. and U.K. intelligence agencies, the company said Wednesday. The hackers sought keys used to encrypt mobile-phone conversations, messages and data traffic, which allow the monitoring of communications without having the permission to wiretap.