Crypto Mining Malware Found on Government Servers in South Korean City
An audit commissioned by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security in South Korea has discovered crypto mining malware on two government servers in the city of Daejeon. The audit, conducted in June last year, revealed that the city’s information system had been infected with malicious code used for virtual currency mining. The auditors also identified cyber breaches on the servers, with one of them being infected with mining malware that exploited exposed administrator account passwords. Another server was used as a hacking transit point to further spread crypto mining malware throughout the network.
Lack of Security Measures Allowed Hackers to Strike
The auditors highlighted a lack of additional security measures that enabled hackers to attack the government servers without repercussions. They noted that the city failed to implement secure password protection for administrator accounts and that a significant number of information system server devices had not undergone necessary annual diagnostic checks.
Preventing Future Incidents
The Ministry of Public Administration and Security ordered the Daejeon Mayoral Office to thoroughly address these security oversights and take preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future. This discovery comes after a government employee in Seoul was found using city-provided energy to mine Ethereum underneath an opera house. The incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect government infrastructure from crypto mining malware attacks.
Hot Take: Government Servers Infected with Crypto Mining Malware
The recent discovery of crypto mining malware on government servers in Daejeon, South Korea raises concerns about the security vulnerabilities of public infrastructure. This incident underscores the need for governments and organizations to prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect against such attacks. Implementing secure password protection, conducting regular diagnostic checks, and ensuring comprehensive network monitoring are crucial steps in preventing malicious actors from exploiting vulnerabilities. By taking proactive measures and investing in robust cybersecurity practices, governments can safeguard sensitive information and maintain the integrity of their systems. It is imperative to stay vigilant and adopt a proactive approach to defend against evolving cyber threats in the crypto landscape.
By
By
By
By