{
  "id": 8920361,
  "title": "North Korean hackers infected 30,000 devices worldwide by posing as tech recruiters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/north-korean-hackers-infected-30-000-devices-worldwide-by-posing-as",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-21T12:44:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Quartz",
    "slug": "quartz",
    "url": "https://qz.com/north-korea-waterplum-hackers-30000-devices-crypto-092126"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "North Korean hackers, known as WaterPlum or Contagious Interview, posed as tech recruiters to trick developers into downloading malware. They targeted software developers and IT professionals worldwide with fake job listings at companies focused on cryptocurrency, AI, and NFTs. The hackers used social media, online job platforms, and freelance marketplaces to lure job seekers.\n\nThe fake recruitment process involved virtual technical interviews or coding assignments, which led to the download and execution of malicious files. Once a device or network was infected, the hackers used malware to steal information, including browser passwords, screenshots, files, and cryptocurrency-wallet data. According to Slashdot, over 30,000 devices in more than 100 countries were infected, resulting in over 7,000 compromised cryptocurrency wallets and more than $10 million transferred to North Korea.\n\nThe hacking campaign, which occurred from December 2025 through July 2026, was attributed to North Korea's Munitions Industry Department. US, Japanese, Australian, and German authorities issued a joint cybersecurity advisory warning about the group's tactics. Cointelegraph reported that the hackers stole at least $10.7 million.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Record",
        "title": "North Korean hackers infect thousands of devices across 100 countries as part of ‘WaterPlum’ campaign",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/north-korean-hackers-infect-thousands-of-devices-across-100-countries",
        "published": "2026-09-18T04:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}