More Than 1,000 Retailers Hit By Malicious “Backoff” Software

📅 August 26, 2014 - Homeland Security issued a warning on Friday to retailers warning that their customer's payment data could be compromised.

According to the Huffington Post, over 1,000 U.S. retailers computer systems were infected by malicious software known as “Backoff”, a software that allowed the attackers access to millions of credit card information.

Malware Bytes senior security researcher Jerome Segura stated that the way Backoff works is by gaining access to the companies computers by “finding insufficiently protected remote access points and duping computer users to download malware.”

“Once the bad guys realized they were able to penetrate larger networks, they saw the opportunity to develop malware that's specifically for credit cards and can evade antivirus programs,” added Segura.

Homeland Security noted that the software was discovered in October 2013, though antivirus programs didn't detect it until earlier this month.

Last week 51 UPS store's computers were infected, causing customers names, credit card, and email and home addresses to be potentially compromised.