Fourteen North Korean individuals have been indicted in a St. Louis federal court for a six-year scheme generating at least $88 million for the North Korean regime. The conspiracy involved thousands of North Korean IT workers using stolen identities to obtain remote work with US firms, employing extortion and data theft to maximize profits. These “IT Warriors” allegedly worked for Yanbian Silverstar and Volasys Silverstar, demanding $10,000 monthly salaries and additional funds through blackmail. While the indicted individuals are unlikely to face justice, a $5 million reward is offered for information leading to their capture and further details about the operation.
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Romania’s presidential election has been targeted by a significant influence campaign and cyberattacks, allegedly orchestrated by a state-sponsored actor, likely Russia. A far-right candidate, Calin Georgescu, experienced a sudden surge in popularity fueled by a coordinated social media campaign using paid influencers on TikTok, violating Romanian electoral law. Intelligence reports revealed the theft of electoral website data and approximately 85,000 attempted hacks targeting electoral systems. The released documents, prompting investigations and a potential impact on the upcoming second round of voting, highlight the scale of this interference attempt.
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Romania’s recent presidential elections were the target of a significant and aggressive campaign of hybrid warfare from Russia, according to the findings of the country’s Supreme Council for National Security. These attacks weren’t subtle; they were aimed directly at manipulating public opinion and sowing division within Romanian society. The timing of the revelation – after the first round of elections – raises concerns about the potential for influence to have already been exerted.
This wasn’t just some minor attempt at interference; this was a concerted effort targeting the presidential race itself. Social media platforms, notably TikTok, allegedly showed bias favoring a pro-Russian candidate, Călin Georgescu, furthering the suspicion of manipulation.… Continue reading
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden will warn of Russia’s use of AI to enhance cyberattacks against UK infrastructure, citing a “daily reality” of cyberwarfare. A new £8.2 million Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR), collaborating with GCHQ, will counter these threats, focusing on preventing potential attacks like power grid disruptions. This initiative comes amidst heightened tensions following Russia’s threats and increased cyberattacks targeting the UK and NATO allies supporting Ukraine. The growing use of AI in cyberattacks, exemplified by North Korea’s actions, underscores the urgency of this research.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood