17-07-2014: The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate informs citizens about the appearance in our country of the malicious software "Shylock"
GREEK POLICE HEADQUARTERS
Athens, July 17 , 2014
PRESS RELEASE
The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate informs citizens about the appearance in our country of the malicious software "Shylock"
The malware aims to illegally steal funds and financial information from online banking systems
It spreads quickly through emails and real-time communication programs
The Hellenic Police's Cybercrime Directorate informs citizens about the appearance in our country of the malicious software "Shylock", which aims to steal money from Online Banking Systems, as well as financial information and data.
In particular, the malware has the ability to steal funds from Online Banking Systems by using stolen access details (username, password, etc.) to Online Banking Systems (e-banking).
This software spreads rapidly through emails and real-time communication programs (live messengers).
More specifically, internet users become "infected" when they select malicious links, which are sent to them either via email or through communication programs, and are then "convinced" to download and execute the malicious software, without their knowledge.
Subsequently, once the malware is installed without the user's knowledge, it seeks, in the first phase, to gain access to financial information and sums of money stored in the victim's accounts (either personal or corporate), while in the second phase, to transfer this information, as well as the stolen sums of money, to the perpetrators, who control the illegal activity of the malware.
Citizens who receive messages from unknown senders or of unknown origin, either via email or via real-time communication programs (live messenger), are urged not to open the links and not to download the files contained therein.
In addition, they should type the addresses of web pages (URL) into the browser, instead of using hyperlinks, use genuine software programs and update them regularly, while there should always be an updated PC protection program (antivirus).
To combat the crime carried out with the malicious software "Shylock", an international joint operational action is already underway, involving Europol, the FBI, the European Cybercrime Center (EC3), while the operation is coordinated by the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom (NCA) (Ref. to the Europol Announcement of 10-07-2014 )
It is recalled that for similar incidents, citizens can contact the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate at the following contact details:
- By phone: 210-6476464
- By sending an e-mail to: ccu@cybercrimeunit.gov.gr
