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North Korea Stole $659 Million in Crypto Assets Last Year, the US Says
In a shocking revelation, the United States, Japan, and South Korea have jointly issued a warning against North Korean threat actors who have been aggressively targeting the cryptocurrency industry. According to the advisory, these malicious groups affiliated with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have been involved in numerous cybercrime campaigns to steal cryptocurrency.
The staggering figure of $659 million was specifically highlighted as the total amount stolen by North Korean hackers in 2024 alone. This alarming statistic underscores the severity of the issue and emphasizes the need for immediate action to prevent such thefts from occurring in the future.
It is crucial to note that these threat actors have been using sophisticated tactics, including well-disguised social engineering attacks, to infiltrate their targets’ systems. They pose as freelance IT workers or log in from multiple IP addresses to gain access to private sector systems. Furthermore, they often ask for crypto payments and exhibit inconsistencies with their background information.
Once inside the system, these malicious actors deploy malware such as keyloggers and remote access tools to steal login credentials and ultimately, virtual currency that can be controlled and sold. The dire consequences of this type of cybercrime are well-documented, and it is imperative that we take immediate action to prevent thefts and recover stolen funds.
It is worth noting that the United Nations issued a report in 2022 revealing the discovery by investigators that North Korea uses money stolen by affiliated threat actors for its missile programs.
Source: www.engadget.com
