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Kaspersky Discovered 200,000 new Mobile Banking Trojan Installers in 2022

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Kaspersky experts discovered nearly 200,000 new mobile banking Trojans, marking a two-fold increase from the previous year’s figures. This alarming surge in the number of mobile banking Trojans is also the highest ever reported in the last six years. These and other findings are in Kaspersky’s ‘Mobile Threats in 2022’ report.

Trojan horse virus

With the evolution of mobile services and technologies, mobile threats are becoming increasingly prevalent. To address this growing concern, Kaspersky experts continuously monitor the mobile threat landscape, track threat trends, and keep users and the cybersecurity community informed about potential dangers.

In 2022, Kaspersky products detected 1,661,743 malware or unwanted software installers.

One of the most prevalent and concerning mobile threats is mobile banking Trojans, which are used to hunt for data related to online banking and e-payment systems. Kaspersky detected 196,476 mobile banking Trojan installers in 2022, twice more than in 2021, and the highest figure in the past six years.

This underscores that cybercriminals are targeting mobile users and increasingly more interested in stealing financial data and actively investing in the creation of new malware, which may lead to major losses for their targets.

Cybercriminals often spread Trojan banker malware through both official and unofficial app stores. Google Play still contains downloaders for banking Trojan families, such as Sharkbot, Anatsa/Teaban, Octo/Coper, and Xenomorph, all disguised as utilities.

For example, the Sharkbot actively distributed downloaders mimicking a file manager that can request permission to install further packages necessary for the Trojan to function on the user’s device, putting the user’s security at risk.

“Despite the decline in overall malware installers, the continued growth of mobile banking Trojans is a clear indication that cybercriminals are focusing on financial gain.

“As our lives increasingly revolve around mobile devices, it’s more important than ever for users to remain vigilant against mobile threats and take the necessary steps to protect themselves,” comments Tatyana Shishkova, security expert at Kaspersky.

To protect yourself from mobile threats, Kaspersky shares the following recommendations:

  • It is safer to download your apps only from official stores like Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore. Apps from these markets are not 100 percent failsafe, but at least they get checked by shop representatives and there is some filtration system — not every app can get onto these stores.
  • Check the permissions of apps that you use and think carefully before permitting an app, especially when it comes to high-risk permissions such as Accessibility Services.
  • A reliable security solution can help you to detect malicious apps and adware before they start behaving badly on your device. Conveniently, you can get protection, like Kaspersky consumer products, directly from mobile operators.
  • iPhone users have some privacy controls provided by Apple, and users can block app access to photos, contacts and GPS features if they think these permissions are unnecessary.
  • A good piece of advice is to update your operating system and important apps as updates become available. Many safety issues can be solved by installing updated versions of software.
  • Kaspersky calls on the mobile industry to enhance cyber protection at all levels, including security for users, by providing tailored cybersecurity services. Kaspersky Consumer Business Alliances enable companies to offer their customers complete cybersecurity portfolios by backing them with Kaspersky’s global support and expertise.

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Stella Ikwuegbu, Nollywood Actress is Dead

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Stella Ikwuegbu, veteran Nollywood actress is dead.

Stella Ikwuegbu, Nollywood Actress is Dead

Mrs Stella Ikwuegbu

Stanley Nwoko better known as Stanley Ontop, movie producer, made known this known on Sunday by via his Instagram page.

Stanley Ontop, revealed that the actress passed away today, Sunday, June 16th, after battling with leg cancer.

He wrote: “Nollywood actress and veteran Mrs Stella Ikwuegbu is dead. The veteran actress left this world today after battling with leg cancer. Rest well, Madam Stella. Nollywood again. It’s well.”

The late actress began her career in 1990, appearing in numerous films such as ‘Spoiler,’ ‘Ukwa,’ ‘Sound of Love,’ ‘Holy Man,’ ‘Two Hearts,’ ‘Heart of Stone,’ and ‘Madam Koikoi,’ among others.

Hailing from Enugu, she was not only an actress but also a businesswoman.

A graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu State, she launched her restaurant, ‘The Film Bar,’ on August 1.

The actress’ death comes barely five days after veteran Yoruba actor Dayo Adewunmi, aka Sule Suebebe, died at 68.

 


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MoneyMaster to Showcase Mobile Wallet @ Ojude Oba Festival

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As the ancient city of Ijebu ode gets set to host another Ojude Oba festival, Nigeria’s leading payment service bank, Moneymaster Payment Service Bank Limited (MMPSB) has concluded arrangements to be part of the annual event where the indigenes of Ijebuland will be onboarded to the bank’s multipurpose mobile wallet.

The Ojude Oba typically holds on the third day of the Eid-El-Kabir whereby different cultural age groups put up a spectacular parade to pay homage to the Royal Majesty, the Awujale of Ijebualand.

Preparatory to the event, Moneymaster, had embarked on month-long market activation, across Ijebuland to onboard the indigenes on to one of its digital banking platforms – mobile wallet through which customers can transfer, withdraw from an agent, buy airtime and pay utility bills.

In a statement, Moneymaster opined that once majority of Nigerians embrace mobile wallet which enables them to cultivate a more convenient savings habit and also make to payment with ease, the nation’s move towards a cashless economy will become a reality.

“While we rejoice with the people of Ijebuland at this time, we also want to showcase what we have in Moneymaster’s mobile wallet that can help various people to enjoy seamless banking from their phones”, the statement noted.

Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria in August, 2020 and insured by NDIC, Moneymaster Payment Service promotes financial inclusion in furtherance of the Nigerian financial literacy initiative driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

With Moneymaster, Nigerians can open mobile wallets, savings account, individual and business accounts to make payments, buy airtime, pay utility bills to over 4,000 companies.

The Bank was recently appointed a payment partner to the Ounje Eko initiative by the Lagos State government in its bid to provide discounted food items to residents of the state amidst rising cost of food items.


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President Tinubu Appoints Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi as New DG Procurement Bureau

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement released on Saturday, June 15, said the move was part of a larger reorganization effort in the public procurement system to reposition the agency for greater efficiency and transparency.

Ajuri added that the President thanked Ahmadu for his services and wished him success in his future endeavours.

The statement further noted that Gbeleyi is a renowned financial expert and award-winning chartered accountant.

It said he is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

According to Ngelale, Gbeleyi is also an alumnus of executive programmes of the prestigious London Business School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Lagos Business School.

He said Gbeleyi has over 30 years of post-qualification experience in diverse sectors, including manufacturing, fast-moving consumer goods, investment and commercial banking, project finance, telecommunications, infrastructure, and public administration.

The statement added,“He was the Board Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and Commissioner of Finance in Lagos State from 2013 to 2015.

The President expects the new Director-General to bring his vast experience and competence to bear in this role to strengthen the agency as the national resource centre for capacity building and sustenance of reforms through the promotion of a competitive private sector-driven economy, ensuring social accountability and efficient deployment of public resources, as well as advancing effective corporate governance and fiduciary discipline in the public and private sectors.”


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