Russian speaking groups infect thousands of computers in Gulf region

Russian speaking groups infect thousands of computers in Gulf region

Thousands of computers in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf have been hacked by Russian-speaking scammers in the first seven months of the year, cybersecurity company Group-IB said in a report on Wednesday.

Group-IB identified the groups using malware to obtain passwords for accounts including Amazon and PayPal, as well as to gain access to their payment records and crypto wallets.

In the first seven months of the year, these scammers infected around 6,300 electronic devices, stole more than 700,000 passwords, and collected credit card details from just under 1,400 people, from Saudi Arabia, according to the cybersecurity company.

Thousands of devices were also hacked, and credit card details stolen in the UAE, during the same period.

The groups used malware able to collect information stored in people’s internet browsers, such as email services and social media accounts. When the hackers obtain information such as bank details, they use it to steal money and data or sell the stolen information on the “cybercriminal underground.”

Group-IB earlier in November revealed that cyber criminals had been impersonating a “leading” recruitment firm in Saudi Arabia in a bid to break into people’s bank accounts and steal money.

A report by the cybersecurity firm found that scammers had created more