CBI alerts States, U.T.s and Central agencies to malicious software threat

CBI alerts States, U.T.s and Central agencies to malicious software threat

Part of: GS-Prelims and Mains GS-III-  Security, GS-II- Governance

In News:

• CBI has sent alerts to all the States, Union Territories and the Central agencies on a malicious software threat that uses an update related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key takeaways:

• The alert related to banking Trojan and Cerberus has been sent on the basis of inputs received from the Interpol. 
• It is primarily used to steal financial data, such as credit card numbers.
• This malicious software sends SMS using the lure of COVID-19 related content to download the embedded malicious link. 
• It can also trick victims into providing personal information and can capture two-factor authentication details. 

Important value additions:

• The International Criminal Police Organisation (commonly known as INTERPOL) is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control. 
• Headquartered in Lyon, France,
• It has seven regional bureaus worldwide and a National Central Bureau in all 194 members states, making it the world’s largest police organization.