The USA has just published new guidance on what is described as a “significant threat” posed by N. Korea’s “malicious cyber activities.”
In a comprehensive advisory jointly issued on April 15 by the US Departments of State, Treasury, & Homeland Security, & the Federal Bureau of Investigation, highlighted the threat posed by N. Korea & gave tips on how to stay cyber-safe.
Alert
Specifically, this alert warned Americans to be aware of crypto-jacking, extortion campaigns, cyber-enabled financial theft, & money-laundering scams.
The alert, published today on the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency website, explains: “The advisory highlights the cyber threat posed by N. Korea, formally known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) & provides recommended steps to mitigate the threat.”
As outlined by this advisory, the DPRK’s digital crimes could prove highly dangerous not just to the US, but also to the entire world.
Malicious
It further warns that: “The DPRK’s malicious cyber activities threaten the United States and the broader international community &, in particular, pose a significant threat to the integrity & stability of the international financial system.”
Military
Also, it is discussed that the DPRK is also using the profits from cyber-crime to actually strengthen its military capabilities.
“Under the pressure of robust U.S. and UN sanctions, the DPRK has increasingly relied on illicit activities, which includes cyber-crime, in order to generate revenue for its weapons of mass destruction & ballistic missile programs,” observes the advisory.
It’s not just financial gain that’s the motive for carrying out cyber-attacks, explains this alert.
Critical Infrastructure
“The DPRK has the capability to conduct disruptive or destructive cyber activities affecting U.S. critical infrastructure,” warned the alert’s authors. “The DPRK also uses cyber capabilities to steal from financial institutions & has demonstrated a pattern of disruptive and harmful cyber activity that is wholly inconsistent with the growing international consensus on what constitutes responsible State behaviour in cyberspace.
The UN Security Council
The UN Security Council 1718 Committee Panel of Experts’ 2019 mid-term report mentions that it was investigating dozens of suspected DPRK cyber-enabled heists and that, as of late 2019, the DPRK has attempted to steal as much as $2bn through illicit cyber-activities.
