Palo Alto Networks pinpoints how ‘419’ scammers get around traditional enterprise safeguards

Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW) reported that cyber criminals in Nigeria have evolved common malware campaigns to infiltrate businesses that have not previously been their primary targets.

419 Evolution, a new report released from Unit 42, the Palo Alto Networks threat intelligence team, explains how Nigeria-based scammers are now using the same tools more sophisticated criminal and espionage groups often deploy to steal business-critical data from enterprises.

Nigerian criminals are infamous for running easily-spotted “419″ phishing scams that attempt to collect credit card details or personal information from individuals, but over the past few years have expanded their skills to target businesses using more advanced techniques. Palo Alto Networks researchers discovered these activities and techniques, code-named Silver Spaniel, using WildFire, which rapidly analyzes cyberthreats in a cloud-based, virtual sandbox environment.

To learn more, download 419 Evolution, the latest research report from Unit 42.

Palo Alto Networks is leading a new era in cybersecurity by protecting thousands of enterprise, government, and service provider networks from cyber threats. Find out more at www.paloaltonetworks.com.

source:http://www.financial-news.co.uk/23124/2014/07/palo-alto-networks-pinpoints-how-039419039-scammers-get/