#

instructSOCIETY is an art project which is an interactive digital experiment exploring visualization & artistic representations of malware that impact human rights. All the images & visualizations in this project a created using the malware. All malware, is malware that impacts human life. instructSOCIETY aims to use art & visualization for social change & awareness.

APT37: ROKRAT

ROKRAT, a sophisticated remote access trojan utilized by North Korean state-sponsored hackers, infiltrates systems through targeted spear-phishing attacks, enabling extensive surveillance capabilities including keylogging and data exfiltration. ROKRAT dramatically impacts the security and privacy of journalists, activists, defectors and NGOs in South Korea. North Korea uses ROKRAT malware to compromise privacy and facilitate intimidation.

ROKRAT represents more than just a technological threat; it is a significant human rights issue. By targeting journalists, activists, and NGOs in South Korea, this malware undermines fundamental freedoms & human rights. Defectors rely on secure communications to ensure their lives are safe. Journalists rely on secure communications to protect their sources and report on critical issues without fear of reprisal. Activists use secure channels to organize and advocate for social change, often facing persecution from oppressive regimes.

The use of ROKRAT by North Korean state-sponsored hackers exacerbates these challenges. It enables surveillance capabilities that include keylogging and data exfiltration, allowing for the monitoring and tracking of individuals' activities, communications, and sensitive information. This surveillance not only compromises the security of these individuals but also creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, inhibiting their ability to operate freely and safely.

The infiltration of systems through spear-phishing & malware attacks demonstrates a deliberate effort to silence dissent and control information flow.

ROKRAT is not just a tool of cyber espionage; it is a tool of repression. Its use by North Korea highlights the intersection of technology and human rights, illustrating the urgent need for robust human & digital measures to protect individuals and organizations advocating for human rights and democratic principles in regions under authoritarian threat.

APT37, also known as Reaper or ScarCruft, is a state-sponsored cyber espionage group believed to be operating out of North Korea. This group has been active since at least 2012 and is primarily known for its targeting of South Korea, although it has also conducted operations against Japan, Vietnam, and the Middle East. APT37's activities raise significant human rights concerns, particularly due to their focus on individuals and organizations that are critical of North Korea's regime.

APT37 plays a critical role in maintaining the stability of the North Korean regime by monitoring and suppressing dissent both within and outside the country. By targeting defectors, activists, and critics of the regime, the group helps prevent the spread of information that could incite opposition or undermine the ruling party's control.

APT37 collects intelligence on political developments and policy shifts in other countries, especially those related to the Korean Peninsula. This information is crucial for North Korea's leadership to make informed decisions regarding their diplomatic and strategic maneuvers.

instruct.SOCIETY
malware impacting human life
art & visualization for social change