Hackers Target US Financial Firms via Phone Scams
Google's security researchers have identified four hacking groups using 'vishing' to break into US financial firms, stealing sensitive data and extorting victims with threats of publication. The groups, dubbed Falcon, Helix, Pink, and Redact, target employees' personal cellphones with fake calls, tricking them into entering credentials and multi-factor codes on spoofed websites. The affected firms include major private equity companies.
Key points
- Google's security researchers have identified four hacking groups, Falcon, Helix, Pink, and Redact, targeting US financial firms via phone scams.
- The groups use 'vishing' to trick employees into entering credentials and multi-factor codes on spoofed websites.
- Affected firms include major private equity companies such as Apollo Global Management, Bain Capital, and Blackstone.
- The hackers steal sensitive data and extort victims with threats of publication.
- Google has not disclosed the exact number of firms targeted or the amount of ransom demanded.
Google's security researchers have shed light on a concerning trend in cyberattacks, where hackers are using 'vishing' to target US financial firms. The technique involves phone calls to employees' personal cellphones, where the hackers pretend to be co-workers or IT helpdesk staffers, tricking them into entering their credentials and multi-factor codes on spoofed websites.
The affected firms include major private equity companies such as Apollo Global Management, Bain Capital, and Blackstone. The hackers steal sensitive data and extort victims with threats of publication. Google has not disclosed the exact number of firms targeted or the amount of ransom demanded.
This trend highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures in protecting sensitive data. Financial firms must remain vigilant and take necessary steps to prevent such attacks. Google's report serves as a warning to companies to be cautious of such tactics and to implement robust security protocols.
Sources
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