A U.S. cybersecurity company has reportedly found software that appears to install code for mining cryptocurrency and send any mined coins to North Korea.

Quoting cybersecurity firm AlienVault, Reuters and the Wall Street Journal(WSJ) reported on Monday that the application, which was created on December 24th, uses host computers to mine a cryptocurrency called Monero and then sends any coins to Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang. 

The WSJ said that "KJU," the server password used by the hackers, appears to be the initials of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Unlike Bitcoin-based systems, Monero does not publicly track who is sending and receiving the cash, making it preferable for those who want anonymity.

U.S. tech media "TechCrunch" said that hackers of cash-starved North Korea are targeting cryptocurrency to pursue alternative income amid strong global sanctions.