Key-logging Trojans on a Rise, Cautions Visa

Visa, a renowned company dealing with payment card servicing, has recently issues a warning to caution its clients-every kind of retailer-big or small- as well as its transaction processing members, stating that key logger incidents via Trojan are increasing at an alarming rate. Recently, the credit card firm claimed that it had observed a surge in this particular technique that focuses on procuring details from the victims by the means of software which seizes and records the keystrokes.

This finicky malicious software disturbing payment systems of Visa transmits the details of payment cards to an e-mail or a fixed IP address, which can later on be accessed by the hacker to use it accordingly.

As stated by visa, the hacker, in such cases, can easily plant keylogger malware onto the POS-Point-of-Sale terminal as a result of poor network configuration and insecure remote access.

The security firm Trusteer explained the reason for such an increase, and said that chiefly, the rise in keylogger assaults on till terminals of the retailers is just because several units are Windows driven, and hence, vulnerable to the similar kind of malware infections like home and office PCS.

According to CEO of the browser security and fraud prevention specialist (Trusteer), Mickey Boodaei, though key-logging trojans for office and home PCs have been rising for a period of time, home and companies users have, however, been prudent to the issue by protecting their systems through IT security software installation, according to the news published by M2 on April 6, 2010.

He added that however, the problem is much intricate for the retailers. This is because a majority of their terminals are caused to undergo maintenance and leasing contracts. This means that they are likely to depend on supplier for the protection of IT security.

Visa said that it can be tough to detect keyloggers. The company has recommended few security measures to be followed by retailers. Firstly, they shall remote access not requires, then, keep a regular check on the installation of software, execute a safe network configuration, and ensure that the anti-virus software is up-to-date.

Moreover, experts recommend that even the consumers must exercise caution as cyber felons are highly targeting information pertaining to payment cards over the Internet.

Related article: KU Concerned of Spear phishing Attacking Students

» SPAMfighter News - 4/14/2010