A report submitted to the United Nations found North Korean cyber attacks have become vastly more sophisticated and raided more crypto than ever before.
A confidential United Nations report shows North Korean hackers stole more crypto assets in 2022 than in any other year.
The UN report, seen by Reuters, was reportedly requested by a 15-member North Korean sanctions panel last week.
It found that North Korean-linked hackers were responsible for between $630 million and more than $1 billion in stolen crypto assets last year after targeting the networks of foreign airlines and companies. security.
The UN report also notes that cyber attacks are more advanced than in previous years, which makes it more difficult than ever to trace stolen money.
“[North Korea] has used increasingly sophisticated cyber technologies both to gain access to digital networks involved in cyber finance and to steal information of considerable value, including to audio systems your fight,” following the independent sanction said in his report to the US. N. committee.
Last week, a February 1 report from blockchain analytics company Chainalysis came to the same conclusion, linking North Korean hackers to at least $1.7 billion worth of crypto stolen in 2022, making it the worst year most ever for crypto hacking.
The company named cybercriminal syndicates as the most “prolific cryptocurrency hackers in the last few years.”
“For context, North Korea’s total exports in 2020 were $142 million worth of goods, so it’s not a stretch to say that cryptocurrency hacking is a big part of the country’s economy,” Chinalysis said.
According to Chinalysis, at least $1.1 billion of stolen loot was taken from hacking of the government’s financial systems, making North Korea one of the driving forces behind the increased hacking trend in 2022.
The company also found that North Korean-linked hackers tend to send large sums to aggregators such as Tornado Cash and Sinbad.
“In fact, funds from hacks carried out by North Korean-linked hackers move to the mixers at a higher rate than funds stolen by individuals or other groups,” Chinalysis said.
Related: North Korea’s Hacking Activity Halted After Regulators Implement KYC: Report
North Korea has always denied accusations that it is responsible for cyber attacks, but a new UN report says that North Korea’s main intelligence agency, the General Reconnaissance Bureau used several groups such as Kimsuki, Lazarus Group and Andariel specifically for the attacks. cyber.
“The actors continue to illegally target victims to generate revenue and demand information of value to the DPRK, including its weapons programs,” the UN report said.
Presented to the 15-member sanctions committee last week, the full report is due for public release later this month or early March.
