The evidence is still far from conclusive, however. Authorities are working to catch the extortionists behind the global cyberattack, searching for digital clues and following the money.
“We are talking about a possibility, not that this was done by North Korea,” Choi said.
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HOW IT WORKED
WannaCry paralyzed computers running mostly older versions of Microsoft Windows in some 150 countries. It encrypted users’ computer files and displayed a message demanding $300 to $600 worth of the digital currency bitcoin to release them; failure to pay would leave the data scrambled and likely beyond repair .
The hackers appeared to have taken control of computers and servers around the world by sending a type of malicious code known as a worm. The worms quickly scanned computers with vulnerability, in this case the older versions of Microsoft Windows, and used those computers as hackers’ command and control centers.
Experts say that the rapid spread of the worm globally suggests it did not rely on phishing, a method whereby an email is sent to people with the aim of having them click on infected documents or links.
