Malware Attacks on ATMs Across Europe cause substantial Loss

Cops from Europe detained 8 cyber-criminals believed to be involved in a heist of ATMs (automatic teller machines) installed at different parts of the continent by employing the Tyupkin malicious program. The thieves comprising Moldovan as well as Romanian nationals managed embezzling the ATMs and taking away all the contents of the cash cassettes, thus reported ComputerWeekly, January 7, 2016.

The suspects, as and when wanted, used the malware to drain all the money out of the ATM machines after successfully installing the Trojan. The process of theft known as "ATM jackpotting," involved infected machines that were given instructions through the pin-pad of the machines. The Tyupkin band of criminals came to the notice of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia when they attacked several ATMs installed inside the country.

It was during 2014 that Kaspersky Lab first spotted the malware after certain financial institution requested the security company to probe several assaults within Eastern Europe. Thus, Kaspersky found Tyupkin on over 50 ATMs deployed in many Eastern European banks, and also perceived that the Trojan spread within USA, France, China, India and Malaysia. Forbes posted this, January 7, 2016.

Europol, after nabbing the culprits, didn't specify what amount of money got plundered; although stated the losses all over Europe had been substantial. Romania based Directorate of DIICOT and the Romanian National Police conducted house searches and arrests in joint cooperation with Eurojust, Europol as well as many law enforcement agencies of Europe.

The European Cybercrime Center of Europol backed Europe's different police forces as they tried locating the suspects. The EC3 hosted several international operational gatherings as also intelligence analysis.

The Center, after recognizing the threat's extreme danger, presented a set of security guidelines for the safety of ATMs. For this presentation, it received the cooperation of Europe's ATM Security Team.

Meanwhile in describing the guidelines, Europol stated they reflected an all-comprehensive central response towards combating ATM malware attacks. This rejoinder emanated from organizations of law enforcement along with industry that would be much more prompt as well as effective. Nonetheless, the document would be circulated only among law enforcement along with industry for banking/payments.

» SPAMfighter News - 1/12/2016