Romanian Banks to Face Ten-fold Increase in Phishing Attempts in 2009

After ten unique phishing blows had been identified on the Romanian banks in 2007, and the total number of actions tripled in 2008, security specialists at BitDefender have given an alarming estimate for 2009. They predict around 300 attacks to target banks in 2009, a number that would make a ten-fold increase over 2008.

The specialists also expect that these attacks would generate huge losses considering the continuously growing number of people conducting bank transactions online. In Romania, phishing relates to the attacks across the world with techniques harmonizing perfectly.

According to Head of AntiSpam Research of BitDefender, Vlad Valceanu, phishers send e-mails in tens or even hundreds to end-users so that they enter imitated websites to discover personal data. The exploiters then sell the stolen data in bulk, at times for only 50 cents each account, as reported by Curierul National on December 30, 2008.

The most recent incident of phishing assault against a bank happened in the 3rd week of December 2008 when customers of the Romanian bank, Bancpost, were asked to visit a webpage resembling the actual Internet banking page of the institution to enter their card details. The message sought customers to enter their card numbers, PIN numbers, passwords and expiry dates on the webpage.

Security experts said that spammer have been exploiting the existing economic downturn and end-users' concerns for their own advantage by sending spam mails to those seeking more information about the economic meltdown as well as to those seeking advice for improving their existing financial status. Therefore, it is vital for end-users to exercise caution about their incoming e-mails and also the online ads they decide to click, according to the experts.

Further, the experts said that as people are gradually becoming capable of recognizing the phishing attacks, scammers search for new methods to grab their money. Popular websites for social interaction now provide a virtual treasure of personal data that could be utilized for wicked purposes. Internet thieves also exploit the latest weaknesses in the computer systems in search of probable profits.

Related article: Romanian Hacker Haunting ebay

» SPAMfighter News - 1/6/2009