UN North Korea investigator’s computer hacked in cyber attack

A panel of United Nations experts investigating violations of international sanctions on North Korea has been hit by a “sustained” cyber attack.

The hackers managed to infiltrate a computer belonging to one of the experts on the the 1718 committee.

Who exactly was responsible for the attack is not yet clear, but they are understood to have gained access to key details of the investigation.

The hackers sent a file to the experts after the attack, showing them some of the data they'd managed to make off with.

“The zip file was sent with a highly personalized message which shows the hackers have very detailed insight into the panel's current investigations structure and working methods,” reads an email sent by the chair of the panel to UN officials on 8 May, reports Reuters.

“As a number of 1718 committee members were targeted in a similar fashion in 2016, I am writing to you all to alert you to this heightened risk.”

A separate email sent by the UN sanctions committee secretary on 10 May revealed that “an analysis” of the affected hard drive is under way.

“Increased vigilance relating to 1718 Committee-related correspondence is therefore advised until data analysis and related investigations are completed,” the message reads.

Security experts believe that North Korean hackers could be behind the massive WannaCry attack that affected computer systems all over the world earlier this month.

They say a special cell in North Korea’s spy agency, called Unit 180, might be responsible for spreading the ransomware.

However, Pyongyang has dismissed the suggestion as “ridiculous”.

The WannaCry attack started crippling hospitals across the UK on 12 May, rendering infected computers unusable and preventing members of staff from accessing crucial patient records.