South Korean And United States intelligence agencies have warned that Pyongyang-based hackers are trying to attack “major international institutions” with ransomware attacks. But experts say “overlapping sanctions” could help thwart Seoul and Washington North Korea Cyber thief.
According to South Korean media outlets sbs And New DailyThe Seoul-based National Intelligence Service (NIS) warned that North Korea was trying to steal virtual assets “by distributing ransomware to key institutions located around the world”.
The NIS announced this in collaboration with the US National Security Agency (NSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The move marks the first time that US and South Korean intelligence agencies have issued a joint security advisory.
NIS claims that hacking organizations linked to North Korea are now targeting computer networks of “major institutions”. He claimed that the answer is targeting various sectors including the health and medical care sectors.
The security agency claimed that the hackers were using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). It also said that North was using “fake websites” and social media accounts.
Experts claimed that a coordinated response could help stop the hackers in their tracks. Asia Kyungjae Professor Lim Jong-in of the Graduate School of Information Security at Korea University said:
“If we use overlapping sanctions in cooperation with the United States, it will be more difficult for Pyongyang to launder the hacked funds.”
Lim said such a new sanctions regime could deter Chinese banks and other firms in the nation from cooperating with North Korea.
Professor said:
,[The threat of overlapping sanctions] This would make it unlikely that Chinese financial institutions would risk helping North Korean hackers launder money.”
‘Major’ health institution under threat from North Korean ransomware hackers?
Officials believe Pyongyang is gearing up for major crypto-powered ransomware attacks on major healthcare providers. And they say the North is using its past successes as a springboard.
Chosun reported that security officials believe North Korean hackers were behind “frequent security breaches” at two major South Korean hospitals in 2021. Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital both faced serious breaches in the summer of 2021.
In December 2020, North Korean hackers were also blamed for attempting to attack the health network of South Korea’s prestigious Yonsei University.
It has been claimed in previous reports kimsukiA group of hackers thought to be operating under the umbrella of the North Korean Reconnaissance General Bureau masterminded the attacks.
Security experts have claimed that hackers use innocent looking tools Disguised to look like standard Microsoft Office files to spread malicious code. In recent months, Pyongyang has also been accused of fleeing Fake, virus-infected crypto exchanges,
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