North Korea Infiltrates US Companies via Third-Country Remote Workers

North Korea has found a new way to infiltrate US companies and fund its weapons programs. The country is now using remote workers from third countries, including Iran and Lebanon, to aid in its efforts.

According to an alert issued by the US government and several foreign agencies in July, North Korean IT workers seek out contracts with the intent of remitting their salaries to their parent North Korean agencies.

The DPRK's tactics may be meeting with some success. Cointelegraph reported that North Korean state-affiliated hackers and threat actors were responsible for more than $2 billion in crypto losses in 2025, a 51% year-on-year increase.

Foreign IT workers are being scouted on LinkedIn, offered up to $500 monthly in cryptocurrency to work part-time as 'interview associates.'