North Korean Freelancers Infiltrate EU Blockchain Firms
North Korean IT workers are secretly joining European blockchain firms, raising espionage and cyberattack fears.
- North Korean IT workers pose as remote freelancers in EU firms
- Espionage and cyberattack risks are growing
- Blockchain firms urged to tighten hiring practices
European blockchain companies are facing a serious and silent threat. North Korean IT specialists, posing as legitimate remote freelancers, are securing roles in these firms. Their goal isn’t just employment—it’s gaining access to sensitive technology and data. Intelligence reports and cybersecurity experts warn that these individuals could be conduits for espionage, intellectual property theft, or future cyberattacks.
These freelancers often present strong resumes and clean identities, making them difficult to detect. By working remotely, they bypass traditional workplace verification steps, embedding themselves into projects that involve cutting-edge blockchain solutions.
Espionage Risks on the Rise
The use of these IT specialists goes beyond making money for the regime. According to security analysts, North Korea uses these freelancers to gain technological insights and potentially compromise infrastructure. Blockchain companies, which often deal with financial data, digital assets, and privacy-focused technologies, are particularly attractive targets.
Once inside a company, these freelancers can quietly observe or even manipulate codebases, planting backdoors or leaking data to external servers. This poses not only a business risk but also a national security threat, especially as blockchain tech becomes more embedded in global finance.
Companies Urged to Vet More Carefully
Experts urge blockchain firms—especially in Europe—to reevaluate their remote hiring policies. Using third-party vetting services, conducting thorough background checks, and limiting access to sensitive systems are a few ways to reduce this risk.
This infiltration serves as a wake-up call for the crypto industry. As blockchain grows, so does its appeal to bad actors looking to exploit it from within.
Read Also :
- $15.8M Raised and Climbing — Why Qubetics Might Be the Best Altcoin to Buy Before Internet Computer and Ondo Catch Up
- Lazarus Group crypto trade
- World Liberty Finance Sends $213K USDT to NFT Wallet
- Why Bitcoin Gets Sold First in Market Panic
- BlockDAG’s Beta Testnet Attracts 110K Traders in Response! Solana Price Drops and Pi Coin Weakens
