North Korea's Increasing Cyberattacks… Exploiting AI and Deepfakes
South Korea's security is on high alert as cyberattacks by state-sponsored hacking groups have recently been on the rise. In the first half of this year, a total of 158 cyberattacks were attempted by overseas hacking groups from countries including North Korea, China, and Russia. This figure represents an increase of approximately 7.5% compared to the second half of last year.
In particular, the activities of hacking groups backed by North Korea have become noticeably more active. It has been found that they are going beyond simple system attacks and are now exploiting cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes. Deepfake technology, which creates fake videos or audio, poses a significant risk as it can be used in crimes to deceive people or steal sensitive information.
Experts warn that these attacks are targeting major South Korean institutions and corporations. While hacking was previously conducted primarily through emails or malicious code, attacks are now being carried out in more sophisticated and complex ways using AI. Consequently, the risk of security incidents is also increasing.
The government and security experts are strengthening security systems to respond to these threats. Furthermore, ordinary citizens also need to exercise extra caution, such as by not clicking on links from unknown sources and protecting their personal information. As technology advances, the crimes that exploit it are also evolving, making this a time when more thorough preparation is required.