Hackers Jailed Over SpyEye Virus That Robbed Banks Worldwide

The Russian developer behind the trojan virus SpyEye has been sentenced to nine years in a US prison, along with a second man who was jailed for fifteen. As the hackers jailed over SpyEye virus that robbed banks worldwide, the two men accused were responsible for over $1billion worth of damages around the world and infected over 50million computers. The trojan virus would secretly infiltrate the computer without the user aware and trick the user into surrendering personal details which transmitted back to a server.

The malware SpyEye would steal all manners of sensitive information about the user, including bank account details, credit card information, PIN numbers as well as passwords. It would achieve this by presenting numerous fake account pages and data grabbing pages to trick the user into inputting sensitive information. Aleksandr Andreevich Panin, the man behind the SpyEye, sold the software through online cybercrime forums and sold different versions for prices ranging from $500 to $10,000.

At least 150 clients bought the software off Panin, who went by the online aliases “Gribodemon” and “Harderman”, and was known for being very user-friendly and easy to customise. The software had been selling online since July 2010 and was only caught last year and subsequently closed the popular forum down. Both men were charged last year, the second being 27 year old Algerian Hamza Bendelladj, also known as “Bx1”.

If you are concerned about online fraud and having personal information stolen, there are numerous steps you can take to protect yourself. Always make sure you are inputting personal information into secure websites, be mindful that it isn’t a bogus fake page made to steal your information. You can always make sure you are safe by looking at the URL. Secure pages will have https at the beginning, this is to assure you that the website you are visiting is secure. Most modern browsers now have a function to let you know if the site isn’t secure.

Using a VPN can also prevent numerous attacks and potential snooping by ensuring your internet connection is safe, secure and encrypted no matter where you connect from. Le VPN can work on any device you use to browse the internet, whether it is your mobile phone on the bus to work, laptop whilst sitting at a coffee shop or tablet when waiting at the airport. Sign up to Le VPN today and always be safe in the knowledge your personal data and privacy is protected.