
With sources indicating that North Korea’s Lazarus Group were behind the recent cryptocurrency theft from Bybit, it’s worth revisiting the BBC’s series of podcasts, “The Lazarus Heist“.
Originally produced in two sets for 2021 and 2023, these podcasts are both entertaining and educational as to the activities of hacking groups and how they achieve their goals. These are highly trained, well-prepared and patient state-sponsored groups needing hard currency to fund their country’s regimes.
Series 1 begins with the hack of Sony Pictures all the way back in 2014 and follows the trail all across the world to an audacious bank theft partially foiled by a spelling mistake. Series 2 continues with millions in cash stolen simultaneously from ATMs all round the world.
Geek News Central has covered many of the newsworthy events in the episodes but the Lazarus Heist podcasts brings several of those outwardly unconnected events into a joined up narrative that illustrates how dangerous this group can be. Their strength isn’t necessarily their hacking skills, but rather how they organise and think things through. Definitely worth a listen to better understand the motives behind them and the tactics involved.