"A French hacker admits to burglarizing a substantial financial institution" (Episode 2)
France-Based Ethical Hacker Reveals Bank Heist Methods
Stéphane Barge, Investigative Chief
Published on
A French cybersecurity researcher, Kevin Tellier, from Synacktiv, a leading penetration testing company, has detailed his exploits in bypassing the security of a major Colombian bank. In the first part of his account, Tellier discussed his strategies for gaining access to the bank's computer systems and its premises.
In an intricate operation, Tellier managed to obtain a digital access badge and load it onto his smartphone, enabling him to enter the bank's premises. With the badge in hand, Tellier encountered a moment of suspense as he placed his smartphone on the badge reader, but the door promptly swung open.
Navigating through the bank's hallways, Tellier and his team reached the CEO's floor and planted a spy implant—a kind of digital informant—in an open space, under a desk. After a brief coffee break, they documented their achievement with a photograph to confirm their initial goal.
The team attempted a different approach in a branch location, pretending to be email representatives of the security manager. They tricked the branch manager into letting them into the sacred server room, but their plans almost unraveled when the manager attempted to contact her supervisor. To avoid detection, Tellier received a call on his phone, which displayed the director's number, and communicated through text messages instead.
According to Tellier, the director soon realized something was amiss and called an assistant who was unaware of the supposed audit. Fortunately, their client intervened to prevent their adventure from turning into a lengthy incarceration. Remarkably, Synacktiv colleagues from Paris were able to penetrate the central server of the bank and even made transfers, ultimately completing the mission.
Thanks to the reports provided by Tellier and his team, the bank was able to patch their security loopholes, and Tellier himself gained proficiency in Spanish.
In a related development, Synacktiv's methods illustrate the role of ethical hackers, who work—with organizations' consent—to identify and address security weaknesses. While some tactics utilized by skilled cybersecurity researchers mimic those employed by malicious actors, they operate within legal and ethical guidelines.
Some common techniques include leveraging smartphones as attack vectors (through targeted messages, SMS phishing, or malicious apps), manipulating wireless networks, and exploiting digital access badges. Ethical hackers might also engage in email impersonation, social engineering, and planting spy implants or compromising hardware.
The primary objective of these cybersecurity pros is to proactively detect vulnerabilities, conform to industry regulations, strengthen security, and provide employee training. By adopting a strategic yet ethical approach, they help organizations protect themselves from potential cyber threats and ensure compliance with best practices.
- The banking-and-insurance industry has recently faced challenges from cybersecurity threats, as depicted by the incident in which Synacktiv's ethical hackers, including Kevin Tellier, successfully infiltrated a major Colombian bank using technology like digital access badges and smartphones.
- The meticulous operation conducted by Synacktiv's team includes smuggling a spy implant into the bank's premises by utilizing finance opportunities like pretending to be email representatives and manipulating wireless networks.
- The role of ethical hackers in the cybersecurity industry is vital, as they help businesses mitigate risks by proactively seeking out security loopholes, employing technology to do so, and offering employee training, ensuring compliance with regulations and best practices.
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