NASDAQ Confirms Hack With Malware Into Portal

US Stock Exchange NASDAQ, on February 5, 2011, admitted that one amongst its different websites was infected when unknown computer-attackers managed to install malware onto it. Theregister.co.uk reported this on February 7, 2011.

Formally NASDAQ stated that using its routine security monitors it spotted dubious files that had been loaded onto the U.S Web-servers, which had no connection with its trading systems. Thereafter it found that its web-portal running the Directors Desk software was potentially harmed. The Stock Exchange instantly carried out an investigation with the help of external forensic companies along with the top U.S law-enforcement. Experts also instantly deleted the files and currently, it was understood that hackers had neither accessed nor obtained any customer-information from Directors Desk, NASDAQ maintained. ZDNet.com reported this on February 7, 2011.

Furthermore, investigators from the Department of Justice had suggested NASDAQ to remain silent regarding the hackers till February 14, 2011 at least. However, when the Wall Street Journal flashed the saga during the 1st week of February 2011, NASDAQ had to let the hacking event become public before the planned time, the Stock Exchange added.

Evidently, NASDAQ had since started informing clients regarding the security breach.

Meanwhile, as investigations are on, it hasn't yet been possible to determine whether any particular country or individual is behind the hack.

Also, remarking about the hack, World Bank's Ex-Computer Security Official Tom Kellermann who's now Core Security at the institution stated that worldwide hackers who were most sophisticated were attacking financial institutions ever more especially those that dealt with trading. Infosecurity.com published this on February 7, 2011.

Kellermann explained that plenty of advanced hackers didn't instantly attempt at monetizing the circumstances. Rather there was an effort for collecting local information, similar to gathering intelligence, so they could determine the best method for monetizing such information over the long-run, he added.

Finally, malicious computer-attackers threatening stock exchanges to reap personal benefit, has come to be a well-known abusive subject since years. Nevertheless, one confirmed stock exchange security breach occurred back in 2006 when malware compromised a Trading System in Russia, observes Sophos the net-security company that Theregister.co.uk reported.

» SPAMfighter News - 2/14/2011