The latest data from Dune Analytics on behalf of 21.co reveals that Lazarus has amassed a small fortune in cryptocurrencies. The hacker group's cryptocurrency portfolio is worth approximately $47 million, the majority of which is in bitcoins. Of this sum, nearly $42.5 million is in BTC, $1.9 million in ether, $1.1 million in BNB and around $640,000 in stablecoins, mainly Binance USD.
A decrease after the Stake.com attack
Interestingly, these amounts appear to have fallen from the $86 million the group held on September 6. Indeed, according to rumors, the group is the originator of the Stake.com attack. As a result of this operation, Lazarus Groupe is said to have succeeded in stealing several million dollars in cryptocurrencies.
Measures to protect against attacks :
- Use a strong, secure password manager to protect your accounts.
- Implement two-factor authentication (2 FA) on all your cryptocurrency-related accounts.
- Be vigilant about suspicious e-mails and messages, and avoid phishing scams.
Previous attacks attributed to Lazarus
This isn't the first time the Lazarus group has been associated with cryptocurrency thefts. Indeed, on September 13, Cointelegraph reported that an attack led by Lazarus had caused the loss of at least $55 million for cryptocurrency exchange CoinEx. In addition, the FBI also cited the North Korean group's responsibility for the hacks on the Alphapo, CoinsPaid and Atomic Wallets platforms. Lazarus is said to have recovered nearly $200 million in cryptocurrencies in 2023.
Ever-increasing amounts stolen:
Comparing the figures, we can see that this rise in hacking is very worrying. For example, groups linked to North Korea reportedly managed to steal a total of $340.4 million in cryptocurrencies in the same year. 1.65 billion worth of digital assets were stolen in 2022, a spectacular increase.
Lazarus Group: a major player in the world of piracy
The Lazarus hacker group, originally from North Korea, is considered one of the most active and dangerous groups in the hacking world. They have been involved in numerous attacks since their inception. Over time, they have amassed a veritable haul in cryptocurrencies, with over $40 million in bitcoins. These funds could be used to finance the illicit activities of the North Korean regime, or to circumvent international sanctions against the country.
Why do cryptocurrencies attract hackers?
- Anonymity: Cryptocurrency transactions allow users to remain anonymous, making it difficult to trace stolen funds.
- Decentralization: cryptocurrencies are not dependent on any central authority, making it easy to transfer funds across borders.
- Fast exchange: Cryptocurrency transactions happen quickly, avoiding the delays inherent in traditional bank transfers.
Review and outlook
Faced with this upsurge in attacks on trading platforms, it's vital that everyone is aware of the risks involved. Appropriate security measures need to be put in place to protect digital assets. For their part, authorities and exchange platforms must also strengthen their security measures. The risks of piracy are limited, and user confidence is preserved. As far as the Lazarus group is concerned, it is highly likely that it will continue to operate as long as it has the technical and financial means to carry out its attacks.
