NordVPN Highlights Rising Threat of E-Skimming Attacks

NordVPN raises awareness about e-skimming attacks, which involve online payment data theft. Marijus Briedis, CTO of NordVPN, underscores the seriousness of these silent attacks that compromise sensitive information during the checkout process.

E-skimming targets online shoppers, running invisibly in browsers without detecting disruptions. NordVPN emphasizes the importance of strengthening defenses against these digital threats, encouraging the use of real-time monitoring tools.

Marijus Briedis, CTO of NordVPN, stated, “Attackers implant JavaScript skimmers that run silently in your browser, capturing full card numbers, CVVs, names, email addresses, expiry dates, and other sensitive data in real time, sometimes even before you finish the purchase.” — source

The financial sector remains vigilant as e-skimming affects payment cards, not cryptocurrencies. This threat chiefly targets traditional financial data rather than digital currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Insurance of regulatory, financial, or technological changes remains scant, but increased vigilance from cybersecurity firms is noted. Analysts point to other incidents of payment card data theft to highlight the increased risks online shoppers face today.

E-skimming, similar to Magecart attacks, exploits online checkout systems through compromised JavaScript code. These incidents have intensified, with over 11,000 newly compromised domains recorded, reflecting an alarming escalation in such attacks.

Experts expect e-skimming to cause shifts in cybersecurity strategies to mitigate the risk of fraud and data theft. NordVPN’s warnings are pivotal in guiding security measures, with an emphasis on protecting retail payment infrastructures.