The government has alerted banks again about the threat of a cyberattack, asking them to strengthen their security measures to avoid the risk of being hacked.

The Financial Institutions Division of the Finance Ministry came up with the fresh warning on Thursday and sent letters to banks with instructions of necessary measures.

In purview of this, banks have increased surveillance on online transactions and ATM booths. Some banks have started closing ATM booths at night.

Mohammad Shams-Ul Islam, managing director and CEO of the state-owned Agrani Bank, said: "We have already taken necessary measures after cyber hacking alert by the Finance Ministry."

Previously, in August, the Bangladesh Government's Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) informed the central bank that a North Korean hacker group (Beagle Boys) is attempting to attack Bangladesh's banking industry.  

Then, Bangladesh Bank alerted banks about the risk of cyber hacking.

After the cyberattack alert, most of the banks have restricted their automated teller machines (ATMs), cards and online transactions and strengthened their security measures.

On February 5, 2016, unidentified hackers stole $101 million from Bangladesh Bank's account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York using fake orders on the SWIFT payment system. It was one of the biggest cybercrimes in the world.

BDST: 1701 HRS, NOV 22, 2020
AP/SMS