US Blames N. Korea for WannaCry Cyberattack

In a press conference, Tom Bossert, homeland security adviser to the White House, did not give evidence to support the attribution but said the USA is confident that the WannaCry attacks, which spread ransomware to enterprises across the globe, were directed by the North Korean government. “In furtherance of both, and after careful investigation, the USA today publicly attributes the massive “WannaCry” cyberattack to North Korea”, he wrote.

He also said the state will probably increase its digital espionage to prepare for a possible war, adding: ‘We’ve already seen attempts by North Korea to gain access to some of the critical infrastructure in North America in recent months’.

“I think in this case, this was a reckless attack”.

The consequences and repercussions of WannaCry were beyond economic. Of all the entities, U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) was hit the hardest, leaving patients at huge risk.

Bossert first made the allegation Monday in an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal, saying that “after careful investigation” it attributed the malware to the country.

iTWire has contacted Aitel for his take on the attribution of WannaCry to North Korea and where his theory about Hutchins stands now.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said based on advice from intelligence agencies and consultations with allies, it was clear Pyongyang carried out the “WannaCry” ransomware campaign.

“If the rising tide of nation-state attacks on civilians is to be stopped, governments must be prepared to call out the countries that launch them”. “That’s a massive indicator, right there”.

Pyongyang had always been suspected of being behind the “WannaCry” attack, which hit entities including the US -based shipping company FedEx, Spanish telecommunications firm Telefonica, and Britain’s National Health Service, which forced hospitals to cancel surgeries and divert ambulances to other facilities. “I’d be damned good and anxious”, he said. The announcement came, as the worldwide community is seeking effective ways to pressure the North Korean regime to end its nuclear and missile programs.

It is the first time the USA and United Kingdom have officially blamed them for the worm. “It’s nevertheless important to call them out, let them know it’s them and we know it’s them”. The group using these exploits has been dubbed Hidden Cobra.

Under Trump, the USA has piled on economic sanctions against North Korea, both on its own and with wide global support. “But, as the president has said, all options are on the table and we have to be prepared if necessary to compel the denuclearization of North Korea without the cooperation of that regime”.

North Korea is also believed to be responsible for hacking Sony Pictures networks, sowing chaos by stealing and releasing corporate emails. It is also believed to have been behind the 2013 attacks on banks and media outlets in South Korea.

Worries are mounting in Washington about North Korea’s hacking capabilities and its weapons programs. It gave them advice on how to improve their security.

He continued, “The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible”.