Binance Hackers Infiltrated Exchange via Months-Long Fake Job Interview Campaign
A campaign of months,
VRT reported, describing the elaborate multi-month operation hackers used to breach the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Hackers stole 6,3 miljard dollar in cryptocurrency from Binance in what the exchange termed the largest crypto heist in history, managing to access an employee’s computer through a sophisticated fake job recruitment process.
The security breach unfolded when the target employee participated in a virtual video interview with someone posing as the top executive of a fictional company, NUK reported. During a second video call, the employee received instructions to download and execute a specific file on their work computer. That file contained hidden malicious code, granting the attackers complete control over the laptop. From there, the perpetrators transferred funds out of the exchange’s crypto wallets.
Binance Freezes Assets and Reimburses Victims from Reserves
Binance stated that approximately 2,85 miljard dollar of the stolen digital assets were frozen or intercepted quickly following the breach. Richard Teng confirmed that the exchange is compensating all affected customers by drawing on its own reserves. According to NUK, 98 percent of the stolen balances have already been replenished, and the exchange maintains sufficient funds to cover the remaining financial damage completely.
In the wake of the multi-billion dollar theft, customers withdrew 4,7 miljard dollar from Binance, De Tijd reported.
Attribution and Official Denials
Both Binance and the Federal Bureau of Investigation attributed the cyberattack to North Korea, according to VRT and NUK. Government officials in Pyongyang denied any involvement in the security breach. The sister of Kim Jong-un dismissed the accusations, characterizing the allegations as a serious political provocation, De Morgen reported.
European media outlets, including hln.be and nieuwsblad.be, tracked the unfolding incident as the nepsollicitatie was identified as the entry point for the hackers.
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