Upbit Exchange Fortifies Security After 159K Hack Attempts

Hacking attempts on crypto exchange Upbit rose by 117% between the first half of 2022 and the first half of 2023.

Lot's of creepy looking characters behind barbed wire and a fully armed security guard.
Created by Gabor Kovacs from DailyCoin
  • Upbit exchange is arguably one of the most targeted crypto platforms by hackers.
  • The exchange’s operator revealed the platform has experienced thousands of cyberattack attempts.
  • The first half of 2023 registered the highest number of attempts.

South Korea-based crypto exchange Upbit was one of the most targeted platforms by hackers in the first half of 2023, according to a report by its operating firm Dunamu.

Per a local media outlet, Dunamu recently submitted a report on attempted cyber infringements on Upbit to representative Park Seong-jung of the Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee of the National Assembly of South Korea.

Disturbing Cyber Attack Attempts

According to Dunamu’s report, as covered on September 10, the number of attempted cyber infringements on Upbit in the first half of the year stood at 159,061, a 117% increase from the first half of 2022, which saw 73,249 attempted incidents.

Sponsored

The spiraling number of attempted attacks can be attributed to the surging user activity on the exchange, which, for the first time, propelled Upbit to rank ahead of Coinbase and OKX in terms of spot trading volume in July 2023.

Although Upbit suffered one of the biggest exploits in crypto exchange history in 2019, a Dunamu official confirmed that none of the recent hacking attempts were successful.

“After the hacking incident in 2019, we took various measures to prevent recurrence, such as distributing hot wallets and operating them, and to date, not a single cyber breach has occurred,” the official said.

Proactive Safety Measures

According to Dunamu, Upbit has increased the proportion of funds it holds in cold wallets to 70% in response to the endless hacking attempts and in a bid to beef up security. The exchange is also reportedly operating its hot wallets in multiple structures rather than a single structure for an added layer of security.

Sponsored

Rep. Park Seong-jung noted that the increasing hacking of virtual assets locally and abroad was on the radar of the Ministry of Science and ICT and recommended large-scale white mock hacking tests in preparation for future cyberattacks.

Read how a $277M crypto scam unfolded in Thailand:
Decoding Thailand’s $277M ‘Pig Butchering’ Crypto Scam

Stay updated on the new Lazarus Group malware threat:
New Lazarus Group Malware Threat Places Crypto On High Alert

This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

Author
Brian Danga

Brian Danga, a Kenyan crypto reporter, is dedicated to delivering breaking news and updates from the cryptocurrency world. With a background as a Web3 writer and project manager, he recognizes the importance of unbiased reporting. Holding an LLB degree from the University of Nairobi, Brian's analytical skills contribute to his accurate news reporting. His personal interests include cooking, watching documentaries, reading, and engaging in intellectual discussions.