FBI warns of North Korean cyberspies posing as foreign IT workers

The US has issued a warning to the worldwide community, including the commercial sector, about North Korean remote IT workers. They are attempting to secure jobs by posing as non-North Korean citizens.

According to the advisory, freelance recruitment, digital payment platforms, and private sector companies, may “intentionally or inadvertently” recruit remote IT workers from North Korea. Thereby, putting “intellectual property, data, and funds to reputational harm and legal consequences”.

The US asked businesses to spot “red flags” and provided instructions on how to do so.

“The United States is committed to disrupting illicit DPRK revenue-generating activities, which may facilitate criminal activity,” it said.

According to the US administration, North Korean IT professionals take advantage of the global demand for certain IT talents to secure freelance work from clients.

The money earned through illegal employment goes directly to North Korea’s “unlawful weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs and threaten international peace and security”, the advisory then informed.

“North Korea has dispatched thousands of highly skilled IT workers around the world earning revenue for the country that contributes to its weapons programs in violation of US and UN sanctions.”

According to the report, apps and software are useful in a variety of industries. It includes cryptocurrencies, health and fitness, social networking, sports, entertainment, and also lifestyle.

“In many cases, they misrepresent themselves as foreign (non-North Korean) or US-based teleworkers, including by using virtual private networks (VPNs), virtual private servers (VPSs), purchased third-country IP addresses, and proxy accounts,” the advisory also said.

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