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BlackPOS

Posted: March 28, 2013

Threat Metric

Threat Level: 2/10
Infected PCs: 22
First Seen: March 28, 2013
OS(es) Affected: Windows

BlackPOS is a spyware program that steals credit and debit card information by infecting specialized business computers that are used for financial transactions. Similar to Dexter, vSkimmer and other POS (point-of-sale) PC threats, BlackPOS is installed by stealth-based methods and will attempt to extract the relevant information without noticing employees, afterward uploading any stolen information to an external server. Standard security procedures for securing Internet-accessible POS computers can be sufficient for blocking a potential BlackPOS infection. However, a successful BlackPOS infection is unlikely to be detectable without access to an appropriate anti-malware program, and SpywareRemove.com malware experts particularly encourage all affected businesses to take any legally-appropriate actions to safeguard their customers after a potential security breach of their personal information.

BlackPOS: a New Member in the Gang of Bank Robbers for the Internet Age

BlackPOS (sold by its criminal developer, aliased Richard Wagner, with the unimaginative title of 'Dump Memory Grabber by Ree') is spyware that's designed to specifically infect bank computers that are used for processing credit and debit card information. While such capabilities aren't new to spyware in general, BlackPOS is somewhat alarming for circumstantial evidence indicative of BlackPOS already having compromised potentially thousands of cards that are in use at major banks that include Capital One, Citibank, Nordstrom Bank and Chase. The major infection vectors for BlackPOS attacks include software vulnerabilities that are caused by outdated OS software and remote control accounts with easily-hacked user/password fields – although SpywareRemove.com malware researchers warn that BlackPOS also may be installed by additional methods whenever they're available.

After BlackPOS is installed (through methods that will not display symptoms of a visually identifiable nature), BlackPOS tries to read memory processes that are associated with any attached card readers. This grants BlackPOS access to enough credit/debit card information which allows criminals to create virtual versions of the cards that can be abused for fraudulent purchases. SpywareRemove.com malware analysts haven't found any indications of BlackPOS including means of transferring the data other than by a typical server-uploading function, which requires the POS computer to have some form of online connectivity.

Keeping Your Credit Cards Thief-Free

Because BlackPOS is sold to purchasers as a for-hire form of spyware, other infection routes may be used to distribute BlackPOS – depending on which criminals purchase and exploit its capabilities in the near future. However, as a result of BlackPOS's current methodology and features, SpywareRemove.com malware experts recommend that you keep all POS computers thoroughly updated, as well as equipped with appropriate security software that can block possible BlackPOS infections. As an additional defense, you also may want to consider disallowing your point-of-sale computers from having Internet access whenever it's not required.

SpywareRemove.com malware analysts also emphasize that BlackPOS, although BlackPOS is genuine spyware and a threat to your PC, is specialized for bank-related computers and is not a threat to casual PC users. BlackPOS hasn't shown any capabilities for stealing information from PCs that aren't associated with POS business tools, and PC users who aren't employed at a bank are unlikely ever to need to know how to detect or remove BlackPOS.

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