Nuclear Secrets Under Threat: North Korean Hackers Targeting US And UK

North Korean hackers, operating under aliases such as Andariel and Onyx Sleet, are reportedly making aggressive attempts to steal sensitive nuclear and military information from governments and private firms worldwide, according to warnings from the UK, US, and South Korea.

These cybercriminals are focusing on sectors such as defense, aerospace, nuclear technology, and engineering, with the goal of bolstering North Korea’s military and nuclear capabilities. Their efforts encompass a broad spectrum of targets, including uranium processing, tanks, submarines, and torpedoes.

The hackers have aimed their attacks at various countries, including the UK, US, South Korea, Japan, and India. Specific targets have included US Air Force bases, NASA, and several defense contractors.

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The recent high-profile warning about this hacking group underscores growing concerns over the combination of espionage and financial exploitation, highlighting its impact on both critical technologies and daily life. According to US authorities, this group finances its espionage efforts by launching ransomware attacks on US healthcare organizations.

Paul Chichester, Director of Operations at the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is part of GCHQ, commented:”The global cyber espionage operation that we have exposed today shows the lengths that DPRK state-sponsored actors are willing to go to pursue their military and nuclear programmes.
“It should remind critical infrastructure operators of the importance of protecting the sensitive information and intellectual property they hold on their systems to prevent theft and misuse.”

The NCSC believes that Andariel is affiliated with North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) 3rd Bureau. The joint advisory from the US, UK, and South Korea provides guidance on defending against these North Korean hackers, who have also been targeting information on robotic machinery, mechanical arms, and 3D printing technologies.

“This indictment showcases that North Korean threats groups also pose a serious threat to citizens’ everyday lives and can’t be ignored or disregarded,” Michael Barnhart, Mandiant Principal Analyst at Google Cloud said.
“Their targeting of hospitals to generate revenue and fund their operations demonstrates a relentless focus on fulfilling their priority mission of intelligence gathering, regardless of the potential consequences it may have on human lives.”

This latest warning is part of an ongoing series concerning North Korean hackers. The country has been linked to some of the most notorious cyber incidents, including the 2014 attack on Sony Pictures, which was in retaliation for a Hollywood film depicting the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Additionally, North Korea is known for the Lazarus Group, a hacking collective responsible for significant thefts amounting to millions of dollars.

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