VTB warns of a new cyberthreat: using Android phishing apps, attackers install malware on a user’s smartphone in order to intercept personal data and information from SMS or calls, the bank said.
Malicious applications usually mimic various brands of financial institutions, VTB notes.
When downloaded and launched, the rogue software requests all possible access to manage the device. Immediately after installation, the phishing application begins to disguise itself (disappears from the screen, changes its icon, name, etc.) and at the same time seeks access to the original settings and programs in order to intercept data. The virus can access information about the device, data from SMS and notifications, including secret codes for financial transactions, VTB notes. In addition, the malware can send spam messages to the user’s contacts for subsequent cyberattacks on other clients.
According to VTB, hacker attacks can come from a foreign control server.
Earlier, VTB reported a surge in phishing activity by scammers in early summer. In June, about 7,000 fraudulent pages imitating banking sites were detected, which is almost 10 times higher than in May and 2.5 times higher than in all previous months of this year. In general, in the first half of the year, the bank processed almost 3.9 million customer requests on topics related to fraud.