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# You Didn’t Get Phished — You Onboarded the Attacker
Hello, dear readers! 🚀
Let’s talk about something that should send chills down your spine—not just the thought of a ghost in your closet, but the creeping realization that your company might just have unknowingly welcomed the attacker through the front door. No, this isn’t your typical phishing attempt; it’s the infiltration of an adversary disguised as a shiny new hire.
## What’s Going On?
The recent article from The Hacker News titled [You Didn’t Get Phished — You Onboarded the Attacker](https://thehackernews.com/2025/09/you-didnt-get-phished-you-onboarded.html) highlights a rising danger in the cybersecurity realm: the increase in North Korean operatives impersonating remote IT workers. Yes, it seems the bad guys have decided that a sly approach—like a well-prepped candidate showing up all clean-cut for an interview—is the new norm.
Imagine this: You think you’ve hired a brilliant engineer named “Jordan” from Colorado, complete with a stellar resume and charming references. But surprise! Jordan isn’t who they say they are. With access to company emails and databases, they’re now your worst nightmare—an attacker sitting comfortably in your virtual office.
## Why This Should Be Worrying
1. **The New Phishing**: Traditional phishing scams have long been a nuisance, but the art of infiltration has transformed. Attackers aren’t just trying to bait you with a deceptive email anymore; they’re skillfully crafting entire identities that allow them direct access to your sensitive systems.
2. **Increased Risk**: The article mentions that hiring fraud incidents increased a staggering 220%, particularly with AI technology making it easier for attackers to create convincing identities and backstories. 🦠
3. **Remote Hiring Dilemmas**: With remote work being the new frontier, the perceived security of in-person hiring has disappeared. It’s full steam ahead for threat actors looking to exploit this gap!
4. **Corporate Culture**: When access protocols aren’t airtight, your wonderful company culture becomes a double-edged sword. In welcoming new employees, you might open your doors to the very hackers who wish to exploit your generosity.
So what should we do about this? The article emphasizes a shift towards a Zero Standing Privileges (ZSP) approach: granting no privileges until explicitly requested and needed—think of it as giving out sticky notes instead of full access to the vault.
## The Bottom Line
We need to be vigilant. Every new hire could be wearing a mask, and it’s up to us to do our homework. Implement strong authentication processes, understand your hiring protocols, and keep a watchful eye on your identity management systems.
Remember, those fancy resumes and charming interviews may be smoke and mirrors!
Let’s keep our cyber defenses up because as they say, **“Security is a streak you can’t afford to break.”**
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This playful yet informative post captures the essence of the article while encouraging readers to be aware of the increasing risks associated with onboarding in the remote workplace. The tone remains engaging, ensuring the message resonates with a broad audience.