Malware Attacking Online Customers of Nordea Bank

Nordea Bank (Stockholm, Sweden) has cautioned the customers of its online banking service about a malevolent computer programme targeting the users of netbanking.

Elucidating the scam, the bank stated in its press release posted on January 15, 2010 that if a customer's PC has been infected by the malware, the Finnish login page of Netbank of Nordea displays in English. At the top of the page, there is some English text that claims that Netbank is currently under 24-hr maintenance and informs that all the services will not function as they normally do. If any user sees this page on logging into the Netbank, terminate the Netbank session.

The Chief of risk management at Nordea, Kari Oksanen, claims that this malware has attacked the customer's systems. It entices the users into revealing their ID to the criminals, reported YLE.fi on January 17, 2010. He also informed that almost 15 customers had lost around 50,000 Euros, as per the news published by HELSINKI TIMES on January 18, 2010.

On January 18, 2010, the bank declared that it is compensating all its account holders who have lost money because of the scam. The Finnish branch of Nordic bank Nordea assured that it would cover the monetary losses because of the malware targeting its online bank.

Moreover, the press release informs that if any users see any odd payment they are unaware of, then they should call the customer service of Nordea at tel 0200 3000 (Mon-Fri from 08.00 to 20.00). For the rest of the time, blocking service, tel 020 333, will be there for the users.

In addition, Nordea also cautioned users not to divulge their username and security code if the language of the netbanking login page appears in English.

Nordea further advises users that safety of information on PCs should be kept updated. Users should purchase the anti-virus software and firewall from a reputed vendor. Besides, the anti-virus software should be updated frequently and should always be kept on along with the firewall. When a customer has anti-virus software that updates itself regularly, it can locate and remove the harmful programs.

Last but not the least, users should be careful when they browse the Web and use their netbanking codes cautiously.

Related article: Malware Authors Turn More Insidious

» SPAMfighter News - 1/28/2010