The US says North Korea is the culprit behind the massive WannaCry ransomware attack

We all know about the nasty ransomware attack, WannaCry that took down hospitals, banks, and companies worldwide earlier this year. And the US has declared Kim Jung-un government as the culprit.

Yesterday evening, the Trump administration has publicly acknowledged that North Korea was behind the WannaCry computer worm that affected more than 230,000 computers in over 150 countries back in the month of May this year.

With the highest high level of confidence, the US government has assessed that a hacking group named Lazarus Group, which works on behalf of the Kim Jong-un’s regime, carried out the nasty WannaCry attack. Also, the security researchers believed that this is the same group of hackers that is responsible for the 2014 hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which destroyed files, leaked corporate communications online and led to the departure of several top studio executives.

Homeland Security Advisor, Tom Bossert made some announcement in a Wall Street Journal op-ed regarding the issue:

“The attack was widespread and affected billions, and North Korea is directly responsible. We do not make this allegation lightly. Everything is based on evidences.” Bossert wrote.

“North Korea has been acting badly and, largely unchecked for more than a decade, and its malicious behavior is growing more shockingly. WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless.”

Bossert said Washington must lead efforts to cooperate with other governments and businesses to diminish cyber risk and increase the cost to hackers.

“When we must, the US will act alone to foist costs and consequences for cyber malfeasance,” Bossert added.

“US President Donald Trump has already pulled the levers of pressure to address North Korea’s unacceptable nuclear and missile developments, and we will continue to use our maximum pressure approach to control Pyongyang’s ability to carry out attacks, cyber or otherwise.”