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How Hackers Breached 3 Million Hotel Keycard Locks

 

The Unsaflok hack technique has raised concerns about the security of Saflok hotel locks. This sophisticated method exploits vulnerabilities in Saflok's system, potentially compromising the safety of guests and the reputation of hospitality establishments. 

The Unsaflok hack technique, first uncovered by security researchers, demonstrates how cybercriminals can exploit weaknesses in the Saflok electronic locking system to gain unauthorized access to hotel rooms. By leveraging a combination of hardware and software tools, hackers can bypass the locks' security mechanisms, granting them entry without leaving any visible signs of tampering. 

The implications of such a breach are profound. Beyond the immediate security risks to guests and their belongings, a compromised locking system can tarnish a hotel's reputation and lead to financial losses. Moreover, the trust between guests and hospitality providers, essential for maintaining customer loyalty, can be severely undermined. 

To mitigate the risks associated with the Unsaflok hack technique and similar threats, hotel operators must take proactive steps to enhance their security measures. Firstly, conducting a thorough assessment of existing locking systems to identify vulnerabilities is crucial. This includes examining both hardware and software components for any weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers. Implementing robust access control measures is essential for safeguarding against unauthorized entry. This may involve upgrading to newer, more secure locking systems that incorporate advanced encryption techniques and tamper-resistant features. 

Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems and surveillance cameras can help detect and deter unauthorized access attempts in real-time. Regular security audits and penetration testing can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of existing security measures and identify areas for improvement. By staying vigilant and proactive in addressing potential vulnerabilities, hotel operators can minimize the risk of falling victim to cyberattacks and protect the safety and privacy of their guests.

Furthermore, fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness among staff members is critical. Employees should receive comprehensive training on identifying and reporting suspicious activities, as well as adhering to best practices for safeguarding sensitive information. By empowering staff to play an active role in cybersecurity defense, hotels can create a more resilient security posture. 

The Unsaflok hack technique highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in the hospitality industry. By understanding the vulnerabilities inherent in electronic locking systems and taking proactive steps to enhance security, hotels can mitigate the risks posed by cyber threats and ensure the safety and satisfaction of their guests. Ultimately, investing in cybersecurity is not just a matter of protecting assets; it's a commitment to maintaining trust and reputation in an increasingly digital world.

The GootLoader Hackers are After Law Firms and Accounting Firms

 

GootLoader is a piece of initial access malware that allows its operators to install a variety of other malware families, including ransomware, on affected devices. It was first discovered in December 2020. The GootLoader hacking organization has been primarily targeting personnel at law and accounting firms in recent weeks, with the most recent attack occurring on January 6. So far, eSentire claims to have intercepted three such assaults. Potential victims are directed to hacked genuine websites that include hundreds of pages of business-related content, including free document samples for download, but they are instead infected with GootLoader. 

GootLoader is distributed using Drive-By-Download programmes, which are driven by SEO, specifically through Google. The hackers are enticing business professionals to authentic but compromised websites that they have packed with hundreds of pages of content, including multiple connections to business agreements, including legal and financial agreements, in these recent attacks.
 
The content claims to provide free downloads of these documents. eSentire's Threat Response Unit (TRU) discovered that the GootLoader hackers set up over 100,000 malicious webpages marketing various forms of commercial deals during an intensive GootLoader campaign that began last December. 

How are the GootLoader threat actors able to infiltrate reputable websites with hundreds of pages of malicious content? 

Tragically, it is just too simple. Hundreds of legitimate websites employing WordPress as the content management system have been detected by the GootLoader gang. WordPress, like many other content management systems, has several vulnerabilities, which hackers may simply exploit to load websites with as many harmful pages as all without the knowledge of the website owner. These websites, according to the TRU team, encompass a wide spectrum of industries, including hotel, high-end retail, education, healthcare, music, and visual arts. 

"The abundance of content that threat actors have pushed onto the web, when professional looks for a sample business agreement on Google, the hackers' malicious web pages appear in the top Google searches," said Keegan Keplinger, TRU's research and reporting lead. 

Three law businesses and an accounting firm were targeted by the cybersecurity services provider, which said it intercepted and demolished the attacks and the victims' identities have not been revealed. Organizations should implement a vetting process for business agreement samples, train staff to open documents only from reputable sources, and confirm that the content downloaded matches the content intended for download.

Nordic Choice Hotels Chain Suffers Ransomware Attack

 

Last week, a very famous Scandinavian hotel chain witnessed a ransomware attack, which, as per the sources, may have led to the theft of personal credentials related to bookings. The staff of the hotel said that the attack rendered its key system unusable which led to the hotel guests being locked out of their rooms. 

The hotel claimed to have been hit last Thursday with a ransomware attack which impacted “the hotel systems that handle reservations, check-in, check-out and creation of new room keys.” 

One guest from the hotel took to social media to describe the situation, he wrote that the hotel staff was forced to personally escort guests upstairs to their rooms because key cards were not working. 

On Monday, an official statement was released stating that the ransomware behind the attack is one of the Conti variants. Before the aforementioned security incident, Conti has been responsible for large-scale attacks on Ireland's Health Service Executive (HSE) and an outrageous $40m ransom demand aimed at Broward County Public Schools in the USA. However, officers did not say anything related to the problem with room keys. 

Following the incident, Nordic Choice is working on replacement solutions so the continuity of its hotel operations remains. The hotel operators have also informed the Norwegian cyber threat unit while warning the guests staying at the hotel, expected at the hotel, and those who have been at the hotel in the past – regarding the potential data theft. 

The hotel chain said it is not going to engage with the attackers and the attackers also did not make any contact with the organization. 

“Our investigations do not currently give any indication that data has been leaked, but we can’t guarantee that is the case. Therefore, the incident entails a risk that information about the guests' bookings may be lost...,” the official statement read. 

“...This information consists of name, email address, telephone number, date of the visit, and any information the guest may have provided in connection with their visit. We do not know for sure yet, but since we see that there may be a risk that such information is leaked, we choose to inform about it now, so that our guests can be extra alert to any suspicious text messages, phone calls, or emails.” 

Nordic Choice Hotels operate a large chain of hotels, running around 200 hotels in various regions such as Scandinavia, Finland, and the Baltics. Brands such as Clarion, Quality, and Comfort come under its chain.

London hackers may be behind ransomware attack on Lucknow hotel

In a first-of-its-kind ransomware attack in Lucknow, cybercriminals breached and blocked the computer system of The Piccadily, a five-star hotel in the capital of Uttar Pradesh, and demanded a ransom to allow data access. Ransomware is a malware unleashed into the system by a hacker that blocks access to owners till ransom is paid.

The hotel management lodged an FIR with the cyber cell of police and also roped in private cyber detectives to probe the crime and suggest a remedy.

The hotel’s finance controller in Alambagh, Jitendra Kumar Singh, lodged an FIR on March 9, stating the staff at the hotel was unable to access the computer system on February 27 around 11:45 pm when they were updating monthly business data. This was followed by screen pop-ups which read — Oops, your important files are encrypted. The staff initially ignored the pop-ups and rebooted the system following which it crashed. Later, the hotel management engaged a software engineer to track down the malfunction after which it came to light the system has been hit by ransomware.

Nodal officer of the cyber cell deputy superintendent of police (DySP) Abhay Mishra said the case happens to be first of its kind of ransomware attack in the city. The demand for ransom in such cases are also made through ‘Bitcoin’, he said. “They are investigating into the matter, but are yet to make any breakthrough,” Singh told TOI. The staff initially ignored the pop-ups and rebooted the system following which it crashed.

The cyber cell of Lucknow police believes the ransomware attack could have been made from London. Sleuths of the cyber cell made these claims after authorities of the Piccadily said they had been getting frequent phone calls from London-based number after the attack.

Singh said, “We received for calls from the same number a day after the attack. The callers inquired about the ransomware attack and asked about the progress in the case. Later, they also agreed to offer assistance.”