Robert Siciliano is a NextAdvisor.com Expert Guest Blogger
A new type of Trojan horse infiltrates your online bank account and not only steals your log-in information, but also siphoning funds directly from your account. The virus is known as URLZone, is controlled by servers in Ukraine and determines how much money to steal from the account of the victim based on the original balance, all in real time, while the user is connected, displaying a false balance so the victim does not know that it happens. URLZone aims Firefox, Opera, and the last three versions of Internet Explorer. Currently, the virus is only targets computers in Germany. But it is only a matter of time until URLZone, the most sophisticated worm kind to date, will spread further.
Like most viruses today URLZone usually infects a PC when the user clicks on a link or visit an infected site. Once the virus is installed, it waits for the user to access an online banking site. That's when it will work. While the user is online banking, the virus communicates with the bank's server in the background. Transactions are being processed and the user does not see that happening. Frankly, it does not seem possible for me. But it happens. The virus then erases its tracks by displaying a bank balance on the infected computer that does not reflect the funds that were stolen. The victim will not recognize a gap in the balance when using an uninfected computer or ATM, or receive a paper statement. Or when the checks start bouncing.
A virus with the sophistication to hijack the browser of the victim, stealing money during a banking transaction online, then cover its tracks by modifying information displayed to the victim, while time real, is not good, to say the least.
White Hat pirates are struggling to keep a step ahead of the criminals, but the black hat hackers are in full force. There are other ways to compromise data today than ever before. From 2007 to 2008, the number of viruses has quadrupled from 15,000 to nearly 60,000.
Recently, the bank account of a couple has been compromised because of their own insecurity. The library liability and held the couple responsible for the loss. Now they continue the bank. Depending on how this case pans, you can be held responsible for the loss if you are hacked.
To avoid these types of situations, make sure your Internet security software is updated and configured to run automatically. Keep your browser updated to the latest version, since an output of the web browser dates can provide holes worms can crawl through. You should also set your operating system to update critical security patches automatically.
Check your bank statements at least once a week, and to invest in identity theft protection, which employs a number of different techniques to prevent, detect and, if necessary, adjust identity theft.
Robert Siciliano, identity theft speaker, discusses the insecurity banking online.
Robert Siciliano is CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, an expert on identity theft, professional speaker, security analyst, published author and television news correspondent. Siciliano works with Fortune 1000 and start-up companies as a consultant on product launches, branding, messaging, representation, SEO and media. the thoughts and advice of Siciliano on all these issues often appear in both television and print media news, including CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, Forbes and USA Today. He has 25 years of safety training as a member of the American Society for Industrial Security. He is the author of two books, including The Safety Minute: Living on high alert; How to take control of your personal safety and to prevent fraud . He also established a partnership with Uni-Ball to help raise awareness of the growing threat of identity theft and provide tips on how you can protect yourself.