Your Bank Account was Emptied by Russian Hackers

Scientists have proven that we are all wired to think that way, but bad things DO happen.  In fact, this hacker inspired event happened to a family member last week! (the names were changed to protect the family’s identity)

Joe woke up one morning last week and did what he normally does, he checked the balance on his bank account (from his computer). Strangely enough, even though his paycheck was deposited the day before, Joe’s checking and savings account balances were nearly zero!

Now, I’m sure you can imagine how that might make you feel. Certainly panic and fury would set in immediately!

Well, he called the bank, and they went to work. After a call to the International Banking Division, they discovered someone had accessed his account and initiated a funds transfer to an account in Russia! (Enter the dreaded Russian Hackers)

The bank told him the hackers had probably infected his computer with the Zeus Trojan – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus_(Trojan_horse).   Fortunately, the transfer was not yet complete and the banking officials were able to cancel it and return the funds to Joe’s account.

Unfortunately this is not the way most of these events are resolved. Americans lose Billions every year to cyber criminals (hackers)!   90% of these security vulnerabilities are ‘known’ (preventable).

Even though Joe is VERY CAREFUL about the websites he visits, the “free” antivirus software he was using didn’t protect him, and his system’s software was out of date and vulnerable.

QUESTION: How can this happen?

ANSWER: The antivirus software and application updates on his computer were not adequate!  Pay for Commercial Antivirus Security Software.

In this case Java, which is a common underlying programming software used by millions of devices around the world, was OUT OF DATE!  (more info on “What is Java” here–> http://www.java.com/en/download/whatis_java.jsp)

Like many of us, he did not even know he needed to keep Java up to date.  Action DataTel was able to detect and remove the Trojan Key Logger from his computer and patch (update) the out-of-date Java application, which fixed the vulnerability.

Cyber criminals look for these vulnerabilities in the computer programming code of Java, Adobe Reader, Flash, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and of course Microsoft Internet Explorer.  These criminals create software that is designed to steal your keystrokes (key logger), or read your screen and send the information back to their computers.

Once the spy software is created, they establish a launching pad for their spyware sometimes by placing a virus or Trojan on insecure, popular, apparently benign websites you might visit.  As you surf or “Drive By” the website the virus exploits the vulnerability on your computer and BAM, they can capture your account numbers and passwords next time you “check your balance”!

Updates for Microsoft and those software titles above are released on a regular basis.  It would take hours every month to manually stay current with these updates – even if you know how. Fortunately we have a simple solution.

Action DataTel offers automated system updates for Microsoft products – Windows, MS Office etc., and now 3rd Party Security Updates and patching for titles such as Firefox, Chrome, Java, Flash, Adobe Reader and others.

For only ten bucks a month, you get:

• managed ESET Anti-virus plus
• managed Microsoft updates
• managed 3rd party security updates

– and it all happens AUTOMATICALLY!

Don’t wait until it’s too late –

Contact Us or call 541-494-2099 and get protected today!

Thank you for choosing Action DataTel as your trusted technology advisor.

Sincerest regards,

E2 IT Guru

888-468-6301