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Hackers Lure Israeli Soldiers via Fake Profiles

Posted: February 21, 2017 to News.

Tags: Malware, Data Breach, Cloud Security

Are you an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldier that has met an extremely attractive Western woman over social media who seems too good to be true? If so, you’ve probably been hacked. Lookout and Kaspersky have released a report suggesting that a group of sophisticated hackers has been stealing sensitive data from some 100 IDF soldiers who were tricked into downloading spyware, known as ViperRAT, on their android phones. Hacker MO According to the reports, IDF soldiers were sent private messages via social media networks hackers pretending to be attractive women from such countries as Canada, Germany, and Switzerland. Once contact was established, the “women” asked IDF personnel to download trojanized versions of “legitimate” chat apps, such as SR Chat or YeeCall Pro, under the ruse of easier communication. Once the dirty app is downloaded, it then scans through the compromised device and downloads another malicious app by pretending to be an update for apps that the user has already installed, such as WhatsApp. The fake update tricks the victim into allowing the malicious app to eavesdrop on conversations, view live video footage, and to have control over the microphone and camera.. Additionally, ViperRAT provides the hacker with important data such as app download history, call logs, cell phone tower info, geolocation, internet browsing, network and device metadata, personal photos and SMS messages. From the approximate 100 IDF soldiers whose devices have been compromised since July, the hackers have amassed nearly 9,000 stolen files and it is believed that the IDF are not the only personnel to be targeted. Who is the Guilty Party? At first, it was believed to be Hamas that was hacking the IDF, but researchers are beginning to second guess that hypothesis, based on the sophisticated nature of the code used. Both Lookout and Kaspersky are working with the IDF to minimize the impact of the hacks. That being said, is very easy to avoid becoming a target: DO NOT DOWNLOAD UNTRUSTED APPS FROM THIRD-PARTY SOURCES!

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About the Author

Craig Petronella, CEO and Founder of Petronella Technology Group
CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

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