US-based cryptocurrency exchange Kraken recently revealed how it uncovered a North Korean hacker attempting to infiltrate the company through a job interview. The incident, detailed in a blog post on May 1, described the hacker’s attempt to gather intelligence during the hiring process for an engineering role. Despite red flags such as using a different name during the interview and switching voices, Kraken proceeded with the applicant to gain insights into the tactics employed. The exchange received a tip from industry partners about North Korean actors applying for positions at crypto companies, leading to the discovery of a network of fake identities used by the hacker across multiple organizations. Technical inconsistencies, including the use of remote Mac desktops and altered identification documents, further raised suspicions. During the final interview, Kraken’s chief security officer, Nick Percoco, conducted identity verification tests that the candidate failed, exposing the deception. This incident underscores the global threat posed by state-sponsored cyberattacks, with North Korea’s Lazarus Group recently being implicated in major cryptocurrency hacks, including the $1.4 billion Bybit exchange breach in February. The group has also been linked to multiple crypto heists in 2024, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by cyber threats in the digital age.