North Korea’s Cyber-Warfare Programme: A Growing Threat
A History of Cyber-Crime
North Korea’s cyber-warfare programme, launched in the mid-1990s, has since expanded into a 6,000-strong unit known as Bureau 121. This unit operates from several countries, according to a 2020 US military report.
Recent Heist: DMM Bitcoin
A North Korean hacking group, known as TraderTraitor, stole cryptocurrency worth over US$300 million from the Japan-based exchange DMM Bitcoin, according to Japanese police and the FBI. The group is believed to be part of Lazarus Group, which is allegedly linked to the Pyongyang authorities.
The Heist
The FBI detailed a “targeted social engineering” operation where a hacker pretended to be a recruiter on LinkedIn to contact an employee of a different crypto wallet software company. The hacker sent the employee what appeared to be a pre-employment test, which actually contained a malicious line of code. This allowed the hacker to compromise the system and impersonate the employee.
The Consequences
“In late May 2024, the actors likely used this access to manipulate a legitimate transaction request by a DMM employee, resulting in the loss of 4,502.9 Bitcoin, worth US$308 million at the time,” the FBI said.
North Korea’s Cyber-Warfare Programme: A Growing Threat
North Korea’s cyber-warfare programme has been a growing concern for years. The country’s cyber-actors have been linked to numerous high-profile hacks, including the 2014 Sony Pictures hack, which was allegedly carried out as revenge for the film “The Interview,” which mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Conclusion
The recent heist on DMM Bitcoin is just the latest example of North Korea’s growing cyber-crime capabilities. The country’s cyber-warfare programme is a significant threat to global security, and it is essential that governments and organizations take steps to combat this threat.
FAQs
* What is North Korea’s cyber-warfare programme?
+ North Korea’s cyber-warfare programme is a 6,000-strong unit known as Bureau 121 that operates from several countries.
* What is the TraderTraitor group?
+ The TraderTraitor group is a North Korean hacking group that is believed to be part of Lazarus Group, which is allegedly linked to the Pyongyang authorities.
* What was the recent heist on DMM Bitcoin?
+ The TraderTraitor group stole cryptocurrency worth over US$300 million from the Japan-based exchange DMM Bitcoin.
* What is targeted social engineering?
+ Targeted social engineering is a type of cyber-attack where a hacker pretends to be a trusted individual or organization to trick an employee into revealing sensitive information or gaining access to a system.