Nigerian hackers steal thousands of dollars from shipping firms - Security group laments
- A security firm has revealed how Nigerian hackers steal money from shipping companies online
- The security body, Secureworks, said that hackers steal thousands of dollars from maritime companies by sending to them emails containing malwares
- Secureworks revealed the name of the hackers' group as Gold Galleon
A group of Nigerian hackers described as Gold Galleon have been reported as being responsible for invading the cyberspace of shipping firms and stealing thousands of dollars from them. This was revealed by Secureworks, a network security firm whose focus is the maritime industry.
According to Maritime Executive, an online platform, Gold Galleon uses basic email scams and hacking software available online to try to steal huge sum of money from unsuspecting ship managers and service providers, the Vanguard reports.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Court remands PDP Senator in prison
Secureworks revealed: "Gold Galleon is a group of about 20 individuals who work together to hack maritime firms all over the world using basic techniques. They rent hacking tools for just a few dollars per month; they communicate via Skype; and they identify targets using online company directories and commercially-available contact lists."
Whereas the criminal gang uses an online proxy service to disguise its location, reports show that they originated from Nigeria. The group communicates in Nigerian pidgin, and it uses phrases linked with a Nigerian cult group called the “Buccaneers Confraternity” as usernames and passwords.
Once the group has identified a new target, it sends a spear phishing email carefully tailored to the recipient. The email has an attachment containing malware, which deploys on the unsuspecting victim’s computer and logs his or her keystrokes, recording the username and password for the victim’s business email account.
As soon as the account is compromised, the group uses a software to collect all the email addresses with which that user has had an interaction, and it sets itself up to intercept business transactions between the user and his or her clients.
When the group has identified a potential victim, it sends a spearfishing email carefully tailored to the recipient. The email has an attachment containing malware, which deploys on the unsuspecting victim’s computer and logs his or her keystrokes, recording the username and password for the victim’s business email account.
PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet!
The moment the account is compromised, the group uses a software tool to collect all the email addresses with which that user has had an interaction, and it sets itself up to intercept business transactions between the user and their clients.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that experts and top Nigerian government officials had raised an alarm saying at least N150 billion would be lost to cyber criminals if they eventually carry out their plan to launch a massive robbery attack on the country this year.
Offa bank robbery: Why some residents were shot by armed robbers. On Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
