South Korean financial institutions are once again facing a wave of cyberattacks, highlighting the growing risk of AI-based hacking in Asia. This incident affected securities companies Daishin Securities and Mirae Asset Global Investments, as well as virtual currency exchange Bithumb.
The incident comes about a month after a series of cyberattacks targeted South Korean financial institutions, raising concerns about vulnerabilities extending beyond the country’s banking system. Security researchers have linked a series of attacks on South Korea in September to suspected China-based hackers who relied on an AI penetration testing tool called Artex, but authorities are still investigating the root cause of the latest breach.
According to local news, Daishin reported that the personal information of 38,490 customers, including names, email addresses, and mobile phone numbers, was leaked in a cyber attack. The company has notified affected customers, is cooperating with authorities in their investigation, and will compensate them for their losses as required by law.
Meanwhile, Mirae and Bithumb reported separate cybersecurity incidents on Wednesday, but neither confirmed that customer data was stolen, according to local media.
South Korea’s financial regulator called for stronger cybersecurity measures following a series of attacks on financial companies and government agencies, officials in Seoul said on Wednesday. The country will also carry out security checks on dozens of IT systems in the private sector.
Yesterday, Japan reported a cybersecurity incident involving GMO Internet following a series of attacks on financial institutions. The wave of cyberattacks across Asia highlights the growing cybersecurity challenges in the region, often the result of years of weak cybersecurity. However, investigators have not established a connection between the incidents.
South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC), Daishin Securities, Bithumb and Mirae Asset Global Investments did not respond to requests for comment.
If you make a purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This does not affect editorial independence.
