NITDA warns of potentially dangerous malware targeting banks, agencies, others

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has warned of an active, AI-powered malware named “DeepLoad”.

The agency warned that the new harmful malware is targeting Nigerian government Agencies, financial institutions, businesses and individuals.

In a tweet on its verified X handle, NITDA revealed that once the virus is executed, DeepLoad silently installs itself, it harvests stored user credentials and sensitive data from browsers, evading antivirus software by leveraging on AI.

NITDA further stated that upon infection, the malware can result in unauthorized access to bank accounts, mobile money services, payment cards.

It reiterated that the malware also steals saved passwords, personal information, and Documents.

The agency explained that these thefts enable criminals to impersonate victims for financial gains,disruption of public/private organisation’s workflow via document theft, and ultimately a threat to national security via the compromise of classified governance networks.

NITDA outlined that the malware targets public and private institutions, Banks and Financial institutions, Critical infrastructure operators, and individual citizens using online banking and email.

The agency cautioned against pasting links and commands from untrusted websites into your computer or phones browser as legitimate websites do not ask for such.