North Korea is carrying out more cyberattacks than ever. It’s not just the Lazarus Group behind these crimes. Many other hacker groups from North Korea are also active. They target different industries, especially cryptocurrency. These attacks are well-planned and complex. The situation is more serious than it seems.
North Korea’s Expanding Cyber Attacks: More Than Just Lazarus Group
In February, hackers stole $1.4 billion from the Bybit exchange. This was one of the biggest crypto heists ever. Many people blamed the Lazarus Group. Lazarus is North Korea’s most well-known hacker group. But they are not the only ones. Other hacker groups in North Korea also carry out cyberattacks.
There is more happening behind the scenes. Experts say Lazarus is not the only threat. North Korea has many hacker groups. Each group has a different job and attack method. Researchers have given them names to track their activities. This helps to explain how they operate.
Different Groups, Different Targets
North Korea’s cyber operations are controlled by an organization called the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB). Within this bureau, there are several distinct hacker groups. Each group has a unique focus and skillset.
One group is called AppleJeus. They launch complex attacks on businesses. They target supply chains to break into systems. In 2023, they hacked 3CX, affecting millions of users. Their attacks need careful planning and skill to succeed.
Another group, called DangerousPassword, uses simple attack methods. They send fake emails and scams on Telegram. These tricks may seem basic, but they work well. Hackers use them to steal personal data and break into systems.
One of the most dangerous groups is TraderTraitor. They attack crypto exchanges with large funds. They use advanced tricks to break in. For example, they hacked Axie Infinity, a popular game. They tricked employees with fake job offers to access the company’s network.
Then there’s APT38, which spun off from Lazarus in 2016. This group specializes in financial crimes and initially focused on traditional banks. Over time, however, they shifted their focus to cryptocurrency exchanges, likely because of the growing importance and value of digital currencies.
Cyber Attacks on Connected Cars
The Methods Behind the Attacks
North Korean hackers use a variety of methods to carry out their attacks. For example, the group known as “Contagious Interview” targets people in the cryptocurrency and tech industries by pretending to be recruiters. They try to convince potential victims to take part in fake job interviews, which ultimately allow them to infect computers with malicious software. This strategy is called social engineering, where hackers trick individuals into doing something that gives them access to important information.
Other tactics include using zero-day exploits, which are flaws in software that the creators haven’t yet discovered. Although North Korea’s hackers have demonstrated the ability to use these kinds of attacks, they have not yet used them to target the cryptocurrency industry directly.
One of the biggest challenges in defending against these attacks is the sheer sophistication of the hackers involved. Even though companies may have strong cybersecurity measures in place, North Korean hackers often find new ways to bypass them, using creative and technical methods to gain access to valuable data.
How Cyber Attacks on Industrial Control Systems Can Endanger Lives ?
