Researchers Identify Banks Targeted In Forthcoming Attack

Researchers say they have some 26 banks that are being targeted in an evolving series of attacks on U.S. financial institutions.

The banking attacks, which were first reported two weeks ago by researchers at RSA, are a coordinated effort that may involve more than 100 cybercriminals, according to reports.

In a blog published late last week, researchers at Trend Micro said they have analyzed the configuration files of the Gozi-Prinimalka malware that is being used in the attacks, and have developed a list of 26 institutions that are being targeted by the cybercriminals.

According to Trend Micro, customers of the following financial institutions are at increased risk: Accurint; American Funds; Ameritrade; Bank of America; CapitalOne; Charles Schwab; Chase; Citibank; eTrade; Fidelity; Fifth Third Bank; HSBC; M&T Bank; Navy Federal Credit Union; PNC; Regions Financial Corporation; Scottrade; ShareBuilder; State Employees Credit Union; Suntrust; The Huntington National Bank; United States Automobile Association; USBank; Wachovia; Washington Mutual; and Wells Fargo.

A study of the malware's configuration files "clearly shows ... which [targets] were at risk, as well as giving insights into the code that is used to modify the sites in question," the blog states.

"We are in contact with the above financial institutions in order to help mitigate this threat," the researchers say. "In the meantime, we advise clients of the institutions listed above to pay particular attention to any wire transfers made out of their accounts, as it is believed that this is how the attack will be conducted by the attackers."

The malware may be found on enterprise machines as BKDR_URSNIF variants, such as BKDR_URSNIF.B, Trend Micro says. The company says its software is blocking the malware.

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