North Korean hackers have been actively targeting critical infrastructure and military operations located in the USA. The hacker group Andariel, also known as APT45 and Onyx Sleet, has been trying to steal nuclear and military secrets from some of the most advanced Western countries.
The hacker group is believed to be controlled by North Korea’s military intelligence agency, the Reconnaissance General Bureau. This agency’s primary purpose is to perform malicious attacks that benefit the North Korean government and its allies. The list of countries included in Pyongyang’s global cyber espionage campaign is long and includes the USA and the United Kingdom.
Recent confirmed attacks
The attacks have been ongoing for years, and it was recently confirmed that North Korean cybercriminals have successfully penetrated the systems of two U.S. Air Force bases and NASA’s Office of Inspector General, among other targets from the nuclear, defense, and aerospace sectors.
The hackers stole valuable information not only from government facilities and agencies but also from important private US defense contractors. The actions of the bad actors further confirm North Korea’s appetite for the advancement of its nuclear capabilities.
U.S. response to cyberattacks
The authorities in the USA are not silently taking the punches from the foreign state cyber militants. Multiple government agencies indicted and announced a $10 million reward for a North Korean hacker. Who is believed to have been involved in the cyber-attacks on the U.S. and its allies.
Rim Jong Hyok, was also charged with conspiracy to hack healthcare facilities such as hospitals and retirement homes to extort them for digital money. He planned to use the stolen funds to generate more cyberattacks on the USA. However, the indicted hacker is a North Korean national who likely resides in North Korea. Which makes it extremely hard for U.S. authorities to bring the man to justice.
The need for enhanced cybersecurity
Even though the U.S. continues to be a significant spender in cyber security, the land of the free is not fully protected. It still regularly fails to deploy proper safety protocols. Governments, private businesses, and regular folks get targeted and hacked every day.
With so many cyber threats, ensuring your connected devices are properly covered with reputable antivirus software solutions is a must. Having an extra layer of protection not only gives you peace of mind but also actively prevents you from becoming a victim.
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