December 22, 2023 at 09:55AM
Europol has identified over 400 hacked websites with malicious scripts stealing debit and credit card details from online shoppers. A coordinated international operation involving 17 countries and private entities has uncovered 23 families of JavaScript sniffers. Online merchants are advised to be vigilant and consult Europol’s guide on digital skimming. Vigilance during holiday shopping is recommended to minimize risk.
From the meeting notes:
– Europol has notified over 400 websites that their online shops have been hacked with malicious scripts designed to steal payment card details.
– These malicious scripts, known as skimmers, are small snippets of JavaScript code added to checkout pages or loaded from a remote resource to steal payment card information.
– The stolen data is used for unauthorized transactions or sold to other cybercriminals on dark web marketplaces.
– A two-month international operation led by Europol, and involving law enforcement from 17 countries and private entities, identified skimmer infections on 443 websites.
– 23 distinct families of JavaScript sniffers were uncovered during this operation, known for elusive behavior and evading detection.
– Online merchants are recommended to consult a guide from Europol for more information on the threat of digital skimming.
– This action comes at a critical moment as online shopping activity spikes during the holiday season.
– Using digital payment methods or one-time private cards can help minimize the risk of payment card details being stolen, and scrutinizing credit card statements for unauthorized charges is advisable.
I hope this summary accurately captures the key takeaways from the meeting notes. Let me know if you need any further clarification or assistance!