[2017-11-29] Hackers Want In On Bitcoin Action: Expert

[ivanpoldark]

It’s hardly surprising that criminals are looking to get in on the cryptocurrency action as Bitcoin price surged past the $10,000 mark late on Monday.

Cybercriminals, hackers, Internet pirates, call them what you want, are scouring the Internet in search of easy targets as the world wakes-up to the success of Bitcoin and its altcoin successors.

According to American SANS Technology Institute’s online forum, a cybersecurity expert’s software has identified bots trying to piggyback off various information systems to find unsecured cryptocurrency wallets around the world.

Didier Stevens says hackers are using software that scans computers for files containing wallet information - which allows cybercriminals to access and steal funds in online wallets.

“I've seen a couple of such requests a couple of years ago, but it's the first time I see that many. The first time I observed this was late 2013, in the middle of the first big BTC (Bitcoin) price rally.”


While hackers are scouring the Internet for Bitcoin wallet archives, Stevens also pointed out that Ethereum wallet clients were also being targeted, according to RT.

Hackers are trying to access local Ethereum JSON-RPC interfaces, which should only be accessible by an individual system. Bypassing authentication of wallets, hackers can control an Ethereum client and effectively steal funds.

Individuals that have synchronized the Ethereum Blockchain on their system are at risk if their JSON-RPC interface allows incoming requests.

https://cointelegraph.com/news/hackers-want-in-on-bitcoin-action-expert

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[buwaytress]

I welcome anyone to scan my device for wallet ID actually, since, I'd love to know what vulnerabilities I'm exposed to. I know I'm not as secure as I could possibly be, but like to think I'm doing enough. That's usually the folly of victims though I guess, that we've done enough.

I daresay there's a lot more to gain from hacking now than back in 2013/14, with the crazy amount and types of people new to Bitcoin. Anyone else notice a spike in people claiming to have lost Bitcoins or wallets getting hacked?

Technically, though, hacker purists won't consider phishing as a form of technical hacking, no? And that's actually the bulk of cases, especially with all these online wallets.

[matuson]

I don't know why but I have never had attempts to hack my online wallet. Hackers often try to hack into accounts on the exchanges. Maybe it's easier I don't know but every attempt of hackers suppressed. While I haven't lost any coins. I'm afraid that the efforts of hackers will be focused on the hacking of smartphones. I don't trust them. It seems to me that their protection is less effective than the protection of your computer.

[Coin-Keeper]

I don't know why but I have never had attempts to hack my online wallet. Hackers often try to hack into accounts on the exchanges. Maybe it's easier I don't know but every attempt of hackers suppressed. While I haven't lost any coins. I'm afraid that the efforts of hackers will be focused on the hacking of smartphones. I don't trust them. It seems to me that their protection is less effective than the protection of your computer.

For those on smartphones a hardware wallet is the way to go.  I always use hardware wallets even on very secure linux systems.  On my smartphone I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't use hardware wallet procedures.

[bbc.reporter]

That news is nothing but an attempt to use fear and shock value to gain more hits on their websites or blogs. But I reckon that was made for the people who know nothing about the cryptospace and its community.

For us, that news is laughable because we know the hacks are not as bad as they make them look. But in any case, anyone is welcome to find and scan my wallets.

[iamTom123]

I welcome anyone to scan my device for wallet ID actually, since, I'd love to know what vulnerabilities I'm exposed to. I know I'm not as secure as I could possibly be, but like to think I'm doing enough. That's usually the folly of victims though I guess, that we've done enough. I daresay there's a lot more to gain from hacking now than back in 2013/14, with the crazy amount and types of people new to Bitcoin. Anyone else notice a spike in people claiming to have lost Bitcoins or wallets getting hacked? Technically, though, hacker purists won't consider phishing as a form of technical hacking, no? And that's actually the bulk of cases, especially with all these online wallets.

Phishing is actually a trick to deceive someone to get into a fake site and input the account details. As Bitcoin is now very valuable, there is also a big spike in many hackers' interest to find possible victims who are still vulnerable enough for them to get through. Security will always be a big concern for all of us and it has become a very big business (well, just like offline, I guess). There would always be a race for hackers in both sides of the fence trying to get ahead of the other. I was once a victim of phishing and I know the feeling of being victimized so we should be learning a big lesson here to make sure that we are doing everything to safeguard our online wealth.