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full screen A North Korean is accused of hacking attacks on hospitals in the United States. Archive image. Photo: David Becker/AP/TT
A man who authorities suspect works for one of North Korea’s military intelligence services is accused of hacking attacks on US healthcare, prosecutors say.
The man has been brought before a grand jury in Kansas. He is suspected, among other things, of money laundering, and of having used the money to finance cyber attacks around the world.
The hacker attack on a Kansas hospital in 2021 created disruptions in healthcare, according to authorities. The hospital also paid about $100,000 in bitcoin to get its data files back.
“While North Korea uses this type of cybercrime to circumvent international sanctions and achieve its political and military ambitions, these senseless actions have direct consequences for the citizens of Kansas,” said FBI agent Stephen Cyrus.
A health care facility in Colorado was also targeted.
According to the US Department of Justice, the driving force behind North Korea’s hacker attacks is often money, unlike attacks that can be traced to China and Russia.
The US, UK and South Korea are simultaneously warning that the North Korean-backed hacker group Andariel has launched a global cyber espionage operation. The purpose must be to steal secret information about defense and nuclear technology.
Companies in the defense, aerospace, nuclear and other technology industries are urged to be on their toes to protect their networks.