Friday, September 3, 2010

Cyberthieves Steal Nearly $1,000,000 from University of Virginia

KrebsOnSecurity reports that cyberthieves stole nearly $1,000,000 from a satellite campus of The University of Virginia. Krebs writes that sources familiar with the case had told him that thieves stole the funds after compromising a computer belonging to the university’s comptroller. The attackers used a computer virus to steal the online banking credentials for the University’s accounts at BB&T Bank, and initiated a single fraudulent wire transfer in the amount of $996,000 to the Agricultural Bank of China. BB&T declined to comment for this story.

In an update published by the student newspaper, a University spokesperson said the money was stolen on August 25 but has since been recovered.