North Korean hackers likely stole South Korean laser software information
North Korean hackers likely stole information about South Korea's laser software (photo: freepik.com)
South Korean police are currently investigating an incident involving the North Korean hacking group Andariel, which is suspected of stealing data related to laser weaponry, according to Reuters.
A joint investigation with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is underway to determine the extent of data obtained by the hacking group. According to police reports, information on defense technologies, including anti-aircraft lasers, was allegedly stolen from 14 organizations. Investigators suggest that the hackers may have accessed approximately 250 files with a cumulative size of 1.2 terabytes.
In 2019, the U.S. Department of the Treasury included the Andariel hacking group in the list of organizations sponsoring the North Korean government, engaging in malicious cyber operations against foreign enterprises, government institutions, and the defense industry.
Following the breach of databases and the exfiltration of information, the hackers also reportedly demanded a ransom of $357,866 in Bitcoin from three South Korean and foreign companies.
Cyber attacks worldwide
In recent years, hacker attacks have emerged as a serious threat to the national security of many countries worldwide. Earlier reports indicated that Russian hackers targeted seven European governments, with the intrusion linked to a hacking group associated with Russian intelligence.
Against the backdrop of escalating hacker attacks, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have reached an agreement to establish a high-level group of cybersecurity experts to counter North Korean hackers.
Prior to this agreement, it was revealed that hackers linked to North Korea were attempting to expand the list of their cybercrime targets to offset the declining value of cryptocurrencies and diversify their revenue streams.
