To keep your computer safe, you’ve been warned not to download anything from unverified emails. Now a British crime agency says you also need to protect your online bank access from hackers.
The U.K. National Crime Agency this week issued a warning about cyber crimes that may have already reaped more than $30 million taken from British citizens, according to Newsweek. In the U.S., authorities say the same hacking malware has likely taken millions from accounts here as well.
The malicious software that is attracting attention from international crime agencies is called Dridex, and is also known as “Bugat” and “Cridex.” The malware is generally delivered via “phishing” emails sent to potential victims.
When downloaded, Dridex infects the user’s computer, giving it access to information on the device including bank account numbers and online account access passwords. The virus also can control the computer and link it to others, creating a global botnet that forwards the email to other potential victims.
The FBI says that hackers have taken at least $10 million using Dridex, but that figure could be much higher. One tech forum noted that the softeware targets computers in at least 27 countries.
A similar operation linked to the Dridex hackers has infected a million computers, stealing more than $100 million from the U.S. and other countries.