You’re updating your resume.
You’re applying to jobs.
You’re preparing for interviews.
You’re doing everything right.
But someone else is watching.
Not a recruiter. Not a hiring manager.
A hacker.
They’re posing as tech companies.
They’re sending interview invites.
They’re asking you to install a “camera fix” or run a “test script.”
And just like that, your system is compromised.
This isn’t a scam.
It’s a state-sponsored attack.
And it’s targeting people like you, unemployed professionals, especially in tech, crypto, and energy.
The Lazarus Playbook
Lazarus Group, backed by North Korea, has evolved.
They’re no longer just breaching banks or crypto exchanges.
They’re impersonating companies like Coinbase, Kraken, and Robinhood.
They’re conducting fake interviews.
They’re embedding malware in GitHub repos and open-source packages.
They’re sending you tasks that look like coding challenges.
They’re asking you to install “drivers” to fix your webcam.
The malware?
GolangGhost. BeaverTail. InvisibleFerret. Tsunami.
Each designed to bypass antivirus, steal credentials, and persist silently.
Why You’re the Perfect Target
You’re in transition.
You’re emotionally stretched.
You’re eager to respond, to impress, to land the next role.
You might still be using your old company laptop.
You might still have access to corporate systems.
You might not realize that one click could compromise your former employer, or your future one.
Lazarus knows this.
They’re not just exploiting systems.
They’re exploiting moments.
The Risk of Using Company Devices
Let’s be blunt.
If you’re laid off and still using your work laptop to apply for jobs, you’re exposing:
- Corporate credentials
- VPN tunnels
- Cloud access tokens
- Sensitive cached data
You’re not just vulnerable.
You’re a potential insider threat, without knowing it.
The Human Firewall 2.0
In my last piece, I wrote about emotional phishing.
This is its evolution: nation-state phishing disguised as opportunity.
To protect yourself:
- Use a clean personal device for job applications.
- Never install software during interviews unless verified.
- Treat every unsolicited recruiter message with suspicion.
- Assume every GitHub repo or NPM package could be weaponized.
Cybersecurity isn’t just technical anymore.
It’s psychological.
It’s geopolitical.
It’s personal.
Final Thought
You’re not just job hunting.
You’re navigating a battlefield.
And the next exploit won’t come through ransomware.
It’ll come through a job offer.
A calendar invite.
A friendly message that feels just real enough.
So yes, patch your systems.
But more importantly, patch your awareness.
Because in 2025, cybersecurity isn’t just digital.
It’s deeply human.
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