North Korean workers at their computers | Image: KCNA (May 15, 2022)
North Korean hackers have wasted little time weaponizing the country’s COVID-19 outbreak to spread viruses of their own making, security researchers say.
Researchers at South Korea-based cybersecurity firm AhnLabs announced on Wednesday they had detected new, malware-laced press releases suspected to originate from Kimsuky, one of North Korea’s most notorious hacking syndicates.
The malware itself appears to be similar or identical to other, previous attacks flagged by AhnLabs in recent weeks — this time, however, the hackers have quickly co-opted their country’s unfolding omicron outbreak as a lure to spread their own viruses
North Korean hackers have wasted little time weaponizing the country’s COVID-19 outbreak to spread viruses of their own making, security researchers say.
Researchers at South Korea-based cybersecurity firm AhnLabs announced on Wednesday they had detected new, malware-laced press releases suspected to originate from Kimsuky, one of North Korea’s most notorious hacking syndicates.
Ethan Jewell is a Seoul-based correspondent for NK News focused on sanctions, trade and maritime issues. He previously worked as an investigations and intelligence specialist for Pinkerton Comprehensive Risk Management and as a research intern for the Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy Studies. Follow Ethan on Twitter @EthanJewell