2014.06.25
NTT Comware Provides Awa Bank with A New Service with FFRI Limosa, the Anti-malware Solution against MITB Attacks, as Exclusive Sales Agency
-- For Enhancement of Countermeasures against Unauthorized Transactions through Internet Banking --
NTT Comware Corporation (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Shinobu Umino; hereinafter, "NTT Comware") signed the exclusive sales agreement with FFRI(Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: Yuji Ukai; hereinafter, "FFRI")on the anti-malware against MITB attacks named FFRI Limosa in March 2014.
With this new service, Awa Bank Limited (Head Office: Tokushima-shi, Tokushima; President, Representative Director: Yoshifumi Okada, hereinafter "Awa Bank") uses FFRI Limosa through NTT Comware as the anti-malware service to their customers from July 1, 2014. This software is to protect the users of Awa Bank's internet banking service, named "ai-mo", from attacks of MITB which could lead unauthorized transactions. This service allows Awa Bank's internet banking users to use their browser securely protected by the software on the internet banking for transactions against unidentified malware.
* "MITB" stands for Man-in-the-Browser. This is about malware attacks to internet banking users' personal computers to control their web browser in an unauthorized manner, as one of cyber attacks stealing personal information or concerning unauthorized transactions.
According to the National Police Agency of Japan, the total amount of unauthorized transactions through internet banking is more than about 1.417 billion yen from January to May 9, 2014, which is the record high number. The source reveals such cases of corporate accounts in 2014, which could lead their bankruptcies. Thus, it is currently said to be a serious social issue.
The MITB attacks are to illegally control internet banking users' personal computers with malware to control their web browser to show a fraud webpage to tap their personal information online or create fake transactions to steal money.
Consequently, the needs for specific countermeasures are increasing since malware keeps advancing day by day such as ones abusing One-time Password to skip an authentication on the internet banking procedure. Therefore, the needs for specific countermeasures are increasing.
[Features of FFRI Limosa]
(1) To secure web browsers against attacks of unidentified malware
FFRI Limosa secures web browsers even though unidentified malware sneaks into personal computers of internet banking users as an MITB attack. This is one of the unique features of FFRI Limosa, which is different from conventional solutions to only detect malware.
(2) Automatic anti-malware protection modules
FFRI Limosa automatically activates automatic anti-malware protection modules when users log in an internet banking website, which is also a unique feature differed from common IT security products for internet banking. This function, with high efficiencies of computer security, allows users to have no need to download computer security software in advance, so that they can use a secure internet banking service.
NTT Comware and FFRI: Future Scenario
NTT Comware is the developer and retailer of PHISHCUT, the anti-phishing solution using "digital watermarking" to prevent access to fraud websites. Although PHISHCUT is not sufficient to prevent MITB attacks to official websites as a single solution, it is now combined with FFRI Limosa to improve the security of internet banking. With this partnership in services and solutions, both companies strive to provide highly secure solutions further. NTT Comware currently plans to provide the service to about 20 companies, mainly for financial institutions, by the end of FY2014.
** FFRI and FFRI Limosa are the trademarks or registered trademarks of each corporation
** PHISHCUT and the PHISHCUT logo are the registered trademarks of NTT Comware Corporation.
** Names of corporations and products are either the trademarks or registered trademarks of each corporation.
