When it comes to large-scale cryptocurrency hacks, the Lazarus Group from North Korea is often the first name that comes to mind. However, research from Samczsun, an expert at Paradigm, indicates that North Korea's cyberattack activities are much more complex with the involvement of many other hacker groups.
North Korea And The Largest Hack In Crypto History
In February of this year, North Korean hackers shocked the world by stealing $1.4 billion from the Bybit exchange—the largest #HackCrypto heist in history.
🔹 The Lazarus Group has laundered money through mixers to cover their tracks.
🔹 Samczsun, while working with SEAL 911, witnessed this hack happening in real-time and assisted Bybit in confirming the breach.
Lazarus Is Not the Only Group – The North Korean Hacker Ecosystem
Many people often refer to all hacking activities of North Korea as #LazarusGroup , but in reality, there are many different attack groups operating under the direction of the General Reconnaissance Bureau (RGB).
Main hacker groups from North Korea:
🔹 TraderTraitor – specializes in attacking major exchanges by posing as recruiters (previously hacked Axie Infinity and WazirX).
🔹 AppleJeus – specializes in conducting supply chain attacks, notably the 3CX hack in 2023, affecting 12 million users.
🔹 DangerousPassword – uses phishing emails and scam messages on Telegram.
🔹 APT38 – split off from Lazarus in 2016, specializes in targeting traditional banks before shifting to crypto.
Additionally, Contagious Interview and Wagemole are two hacker groups operating under the guise of IT freelancers, aiming to infiltrate crypto companies from within.
What To Do To Protect Crypto From North Korean Hackers?
🔹 Use two-factor authentication (2FA).
🔹 Limit employee access to only what is necessary.
🔹 Separate personal and work devices.
🔹 Collaborate with security teams like #SEAL911 , FBI.
Although North Korean hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, there are ways to protect crypto assets if businesses implement the right security measures. As Samczsun emphasized: "We cannot defeat the enemy if we do not understand them."
