North Korean hackers, identified as Andariel and Onyx Sleet, are actively attempting to steal nuclear and military secrets from governments and private companies worldwide, according to warnings from the UK, US, and South Korea.
The hackers have targeted defense, aerospace, nuclear, and engineering sectors to advance North Korea’s military and nuclear capabilities.
The group has sought classified information on diverse areas, including uranium processing, tanks, submarines, and torpedoes.
Targets have included US Air Force bases, NASA, and various defense contractors, as well as entities in the UK, South Korea, Japan, and India.
The high-profile alert highlights the dual threat posed by these hackers, combining espionage with financially motivated attacks.
The US has noted that the group finances its operations through ransomware attacks against US healthcare institutions.
Paul Chichester, Director of Operations at the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), stated, “The global cyber espionage operation we have exposed today shows the lengths DPRK state-sponsored actors will go to pursue their military and nuclear programs.”
He emphasized the importance of safeguarding sensitive information and intellectual property to prevent theft and misuse.
Andariel is believed to be part of North Korea‘s Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) 3rd Bureau.
The joint warning from the US, UK, and South Korea also highlights the group’s interest in technologies such as robotic machinery, mechanical arms, and 3D printing components.
Michael Barnhart, Principal Analyst at Google Cloud’s Mandiant, noted, “This indictment showcases that North Korean threat groups pose a serious risk to citizens’ everyday lives and cannot be ignored.”
He added, “Their targeting of hospitals to generate revenue demonstrates a relentless focus on intelligence gathering, regardless of potential human consequences.”
This warning adds to a history of notable cyber incidents attributed to North Korea, including the 2014 Sony Pictures attack over a film mocking North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The country is also known for the Lazarus Group, notorious for significant financial thefts.
Source-BBC
