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North Korea defector hack: Personal data of almost 1,000 leaked | North Korea defector hack: Personal data of almost 1,000 leaked |
(35 minutes later) | |
Almost 1,000 North Korean defectors have had their personal data leaked after a computer at a South Korean resettlement centre was hacked, the unification ministry said. | Almost 1,000 North Korean defectors have had their personal data leaked after a computer at a South Korean resettlement centre was hacked, the unification ministry said. |
A personal computer at the state-run centre was found to have been "infected with a malicious code". | A personal computer at the state-run centre was found to have been "infected with a malicious code". |
The ministry said this is thought to be the first large-scale information leak involving North Korean defectors. | The ministry said this is thought to be the first large-scale information leak involving North Korean defectors. |
The hackers' identity and the origin of the cyber attack is not yet confirmed. | |
North Korean state media has also often threatened to silence defectors in the South who make derogatory statements about the regime. | |
However, the government in the South has not pointed the finger at North Korea this time, although many cyber-security experts been warning of the increasing sophistication of hackers from the North. | |
One of the most high profile hacks linked to North Korea in recent years targeted Sony's entertainment business in 2014 - wiping out massive amounts of data and leading to the online distribution of emails, and sensitive personal data. | One of the most high profile hacks linked to North Korea in recent years targeted Sony's entertainment business in 2014 - wiping out massive amounts of data and leading to the online distribution of emails, and sensitive personal data. |
Are defectors' families in danger? | |
Some 997 North Korean defectors have now been informed that their names, birth dates and addresses have been leaked but it is not clear what impact this will have. | Some 997 North Korean defectors have now been informed that their names, birth dates and addresses have been leaked but it is not clear what impact this will have. |
Analysts say there are some concerns that the leak could endanger the families of the defectors that still remain in North Korea. | Analysts say there are some concerns that the leak could endanger the families of the defectors that still remain in North Korea. |
On 19 December, the unification ministry became aware of the hack after they found a malicious program installed on a desktop at a resettlement centre - also known as Hana centres - in North Gyeongsang province. | On 19 December, the unification ministry became aware of the hack after they found a malicious program installed on a desktop at a resettlement centre - also known as Hana centres - in North Gyeongsang province. |
These are the institutes which the South Korean government run to help the thousands of defectors that have come from North Korea adjust to life in the South. | These are the institutes which the South Korean government run to help the thousands of defectors that have come from North Korea adjust to life in the South. |
The ministry said that no computers at other Hana centres across the country had been hacked. | The ministry said that no computers at other Hana centres across the country had been hacked. |
One expert on North Korean cyberwarfare, Simon Choi, believes that this might not be the first time a Hana centre has been hacked. | One expert on North Korean cyberwarfare, Simon Choi, believes that this might not be the first time a Hana centre has been hacked. |
"[There is a North Korean hacking] group [that] mainly targets [the] North Korean defector community... we are aware that [this group] tried to hack a Hana centre last year," he told the BBC. | "[There is a North Korean hacking] group [that] mainly targets [the] North Korean defector community... we are aware that [this group] tried to hack a Hana centre last year," he told the BBC. |
However, he added that it was not yet clear if any North Korean groups were responsible for the latest attack. | However, he added that it was not yet clear if any North Korean groups were responsible for the latest attack. |
Investigations by the ministry and the police are currently ongoing, with the ministry saying it would "do its best to prevent such an incident from happening again". | Investigations by the ministry and the police are currently ongoing, with the ministry saying it would "do its best to prevent such an incident from happening again". |