Ashley Shen, an independent security researcher, said: “We assume one of the reasons why Bitcoin is being attacked is because the price keeps increasing and we think it’s reasonable for hackers (to target).<\/p>\n
“Digital currency might be easier to gain than physical currency. So I think it’s reasonable.”<\/p>\n
Bitcoin’s value has risen dramatically over the course of 2017, but especially during the past week, peaking at one Bitcoin being worth $16,000 (\u00a311,940).<\/p>\n
The currency’s value is up 1,500% this year, driven by sheer speculation.<\/p>\n
Ms Shen and her colleagues have tracked attacks by hacking groups Lazarus, Bluenoroff and Andariel – suspected to be North Korean operations – on financial institutions including banks in Europe and South Korea, an ATM company and Bitcoin exchange.<\/p>\n
She told Sky News: “Before, when we tracked nation-state attackers, they usually perform cyberattacks which are aimed for confidential data and intelligence.<\/p>\n
“However recently we’ve discovered that some of the APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) groups are trying to hack financial institutions like banks and Bitcoin exchanges to gain financial profit.”<\/p>\n
Ms Shen said the attacks had so far been unsuccessful.<\/p>\n
“My own opinion is they will probably keep doing the Bitcoins because the price keeps increasing and it’s a good investment… So I assume they will do more Bitcoin attacks and of course they will keep targeting banks because that’s what they did before.”<\/p>\n
One of her co-researchers, who wishes to remain anonymous because they work for a South Korean bank, told Sky News: “Just a few years ago the attacks were initiated to paralyze the society, but for sometime now they’ve been hacking for money – so I kind of wonder if they are facing financial difficulties.”<\/p>\n
As Bitcoin has surged in value, particularly over the last week, it has become increasingly attractive to hackers.<\/p>\n