North Korean Hackers’ Trap: Backdoors and Fake MetaMask Steal Crypto from Devs

Cryptocurrency developers are under attack. A sneaky campaign called uses fake job offers to trick smart coders into running bad code. This leads to backdoors on their computers and fake wallet apps that steal funds. North Korean hackers are behind it, targeting pros in crypto, Web3, and AI fields.

What is the Campaign?

This cyber plot mixes social tricks with powerful malware. Attackers pretend to be recruiters. They send fake job interviews or coding tests. Victims get project files to check or run. But these files hide nasty software. When you open them, your computer gets infected quietly.

The goal? Grab wallet secrets, private keys, and other info to turn into real money. It’s not about hacking blockchains. It’s about hitting users where they work.

How the Attack Starts: The Bait

Imagine getting a hot job lead from a big crypto firm. They ask you to test some code. You download the zip file and run it in your dev setup. Boom – a bad JavaScript file kicks off the infection.

• First, it pings a control server to say “I’m in.”
• Then, it pulls down more bad tools.

These tools include JS scripts and a Python backdoor named InvisibleFerret. One sets up remote access. Another hunts for gold like browser logins, password files, and crypto wallets.

Stealing Data: Smart File Hunts

The malware is clever. It scans your system for files with words like:

• wallet
• seed
• private
• keys
• mnemonic
• password

Found something? It sends it straight to the hackers. The backdoor stays connected, letting crooks run commands, grab files, and spy. It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux – no escape.

The Killer Move: Fake MetaMask Wallet

Once inside, they don’t just grab old data. They swap your real MetaMask browser extension for a fake one. Here’s how:

1. Scan Chrome or Brave folders for MetaMask.
2. Download the evil version.
3. Tweak browser files to load the fake.
4. Bypass safety checks by faking signatures and turning on dev mode.

The fake looks perfect. It works like the real deal. But when you unlock it, it grabs your password and vault data. Hackers get this, decrypt later, pull seed phrases, and empty your wallet – all without you knowing.

They added just a few lines of code to keep it sneaky. Genius, but evil.

Why Devs Are Prime Targets

Crypto devs have the keys to the kingdom. They test wallets, build dApps, handle big funds. One slip, and hackers cash in. North Korea loves this – they’ve hit crypto firms before, raking in millions.

This shows a big shift. Forget chain exploits. User attacks are easier and pay better. Your browser is the weak link.

Real-World Impact and Trends

Campaigns like are rising. Hackers mix job scams with malware. They hit AI too, as tools overlap with Web3. Losses? Huge – stolen crypto funds fuel rogue states.

Key trend: Supply chain attacks on devs. Fake packages in npm or PyPI are common. Always check sources.

How to Protect Yourself: Simple Steps

Don’t be a victim. Follow these tips:

• Never run unknown code – even for interviews. Use VMs or sandboxes.
• Check browser extensions. Disable dev mode. Verify MetaMask from official site.
• Use hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor for big funds.
• Enable 2FA everywhere. Use password managers with strong encryption.
• Scan with antivirus like Malwarebytes. Watch for odd network traffic.
• For teams: Train on phishing. Use code review tools.

Pro tip: Air-gap important keys. Keep seeds offline.

Stay Ahead in Crypto Security

The shows crypto security starts with you. Hackers evolve fast. Stay vigilant. Use tools like Etherscan for wallet checks. Join communities for threat intel.

Blockchain is secure, but humans aren’t. Lock down your setup today.

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