Security solutions firm Trend Micro on Tuesday cautioned that hackers are targeting Indian financial institutions with new malware like SpyEye and Zeus to siphon off money from banks.
According to Trend Micro, the highest number of phishing attacks are being reported in cities such as Hyderabad, Nashik, New Delhi, Bangalore and Thanjavur.
The warning for Indian banks comes at a time when countries like Germany, Italy and UK have been under attack of cyber criminals.
“The new software allows the criminal to siphon off money while he sleeps. It could significantly increase the number of hacked accounts and the speed with which they are drained,” said Amit Nath, Country Manager (India and SAARC), Trend Micro.
The Japanese security solutions firm said that the number of phishing attacks increased by over 187 per cent in May, 2012 alone compared to April. Intrestingly, all phishing attacks on Indian brands during the month of May have been targeted at the banking sector, with one in every four using an ‘.in’ domain.
“The new code has the potential to dramatically escalate the amount being stolen from accounts and a years-old arms race between the banks and criminal groups. This attack tool kit ushers in a new era of bank heists,” he added.
The company also said a victimized user sees requests for both an account number and password and an ATM card number. The information gathered from users will then be directed to the hacker, who later transfers money to an accomplice’s account.