Cybersecurity experts are warning about the spread of a new strain of malware targeting ATMs in Europe. This malware has the capability to extract amounts of up to $30,000 and is said to work in 99 percent of cases. Attacks on ATMs are seen as very profitable as they provide access to live money. Malicious programs and devices specialized in withdrawing money from ATMs are often advertised on the dark web.
Researchers at Kaspersky have identified a new strain of malware based on the XFS standard that provides an API to manage internal modules of ATMs independently of the manufacturer. Tools have been developed over the years to test the vulnerabilities of different ATMs and withdraw cash. These tools have been found to work on various ATM types and are still effective even with the latest operating systems.
The new strain of malware targeting European ATMs is reported to be 99 percent effective in Europe and up to 60 percent effective in other countries. This suggests that the malware was specifically created for European devices. Criminals find this malware attractive because it allows them to withdraw large sums of money from ATMs. Researchers believe that the developers behind this malware are organized and well-prepared, indicating a high level of sophistication in its design and distribution.