Hackers from North Korea, backed by Pyongyang, breached two South Korean microchip companies, probably with the intention of stealing information about a local chip-making program, according to Seoul's spy agency.
The agency advised companies to take protective measures after cyber attacks which took place in December and February this year, where product and production facility designs were stolen. The hackers used the technique of "living off the land", a method based on already installed Software, which is hard to find.
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The agency did not disclose details about the hacking gang and its targets, only that the hackers focused on servers connected to the internet. It is noted that the North Korea may have started preparations to produce its own semiconductors because it is facing a problem with chip supply due to the sanctions.
North Korea is also accused of conducting large-scale cyber attacks targeting banks worldwide, stealing secrets used for defense and defense, extorting money through ransomware and extracts digital coins. Investigators say its target is mainly South Korea, with which it remains at war.
See more: North Korean hackers target the defence sector
The spy agency said Monday that Pyongyang may have begun focusing its attacks on the cyberspace in the chip sector since the second half of last year in order to meet the increased demand for satellite and missile development.
Source: bnnbloomberg
