North Korean hackers are trying to steal nuclear and military secrets from governments and companies around the world, according to warnings from the UK, US, and South Korea. The group, called Andariel or Onyx Sleet, targets defense, aerospace, nuclear, and engineering sectors to get classified information. They want to advance North Korea’s military and nuclear programs.
The hackers seek information on uranium processing, tanks, submarines, and torpedoes, and have targeted countries like the UK, US, South Korea, Japan, India, and more. US Air Force bases, NASA, and defense companies have also been attacked.
This high-profile warning highlights the concern officials have about the group’s espionage and money-making activities, which affect both sensitive technology and everyday life. The US says the group funds its spying through ransomware attacks on US healthcare entities.
Paul Chichester, from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), stated, “The global cyber espionage operation we exposed today shows how far DPRK state-sponsored actors will go to pursue their military and nuclear programs.” He stressed the importance of protecting sensitive information and intellectual property to prevent theft.
The NCSC believes Andariel is part of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau. The joint warning from the US, UK, and South Korea includes advice on defending against North Korean hackers, who also seek information on robot machinery, mechanical arms, and 3D printing components.
Michael Barnhart from Google Cloud’s Mandiant said, “This indictment shows that North Korean threat groups are a serious threat to citizens’ everyday lives and can’t be ignored.” He noted their attacks on hospitals to fund operations, highlighting their focus on intelligence gathering regardless of the human cost.
This is the latest in a series of warnings about North Korean hackers, who have been linked to major cyber incidents, including the 2014 attack on Sony Pictures. North Korea is also known for the Lazarus Group, which has stolen millions of dollars.
Credit to BBC for this information.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjl6p3wj52no