Why insurance companies might be stuck paying ransoms to North Korean hackers | NK News
NK News Logo
September 23, 2026Sep 23, 2026

Weapon Directory

Analysis

Why insurance companies might be stuck paying ransoms to North Korean hackers

North Korean hackers make ransoms cheaper than backup and restoration costs, making it likely companies will pay up

The Lazarus Group, North Korea’s premier hacking team, appears to have started using ransomware to attack victims and extort money out of them, according to a recent analysis by Kaspersky Labs, a cybersecurity company.

Ransomware attacks typically involve deploying malware on a computer system that blocks access to it unless a ransom is paid. While DPRK hackers have been linked to ransomware attacks before, the tactics have changed — and so have the rules around paying ransoms. 

Here’s a look at the most recent known attacks and what they mean for cybersecurity in the future:

MONEY MAKERS & THE RETURN