The malware virus which was posing threat to financial institutions through the country's three Internet Protocols (IPs) has been successfully removed. As a result, the country's banking sector, for now, is safe from possible cyberattacks.
For this reason, the highest alert issued by the Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) formed under the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) of the Information Technology Department of the government has been withdrawn for the time being. This information has been known from the relevant sources.
As per the source, however, banks can now gradually move to normal transactions as per the satisfaction of the security system of the banks' online transaction software.
Meanwhile, the red alert issued in the wake of cyberattacks on the banking sector internationally has been withdrawn as well.
However, general warning signs for financial institutions remain and will stay in force in Bangladesh as well.
Meanwhile, after talking to the chief executives of some commercial banks, it has been learned that they will continue to be vigilant for some more time.
The security of online transaction software will be further enhanced. Periodically they will now go into normal transactions. However, they are waiting for the next instructions of the central bank in this regard.
They have issued maximum caution in online transactions as per the instructions of the central bank. Now they will take the next step if they get the instructions from the Bangladesh bank.
Central bank sources said they received information that the virus had been removed. It will now be advisable for all commercial banks, including the central bank, to gradually move back to normal transactions after examining the security arrangements of the online transaction software. New instructions will be issued soon in this regard.
Tareq M Barkatullah, Director of BCC and project director of CIRT, said the malware virus had been removed from three Internet Protocols (IPs). Now there is no threat. We are safe for now.
Banks will now be able to move towards normal transactions under their own management, he also said.
According to the source, on August 28, CIRT found the malware virus in the internet management of Bangladesh.
They passed this information to the concerned institutions including the central bank.
In that situation, ATM machines of a bank temporarily suspended all transactions using cards of different banks except its own.
At the same time, it also reduced the type of banking services in ATM booths. The reins were drawn to transfer money to another bank or customer without withdrawing cash.
In addition, banks took precautionary measures in all types of online, Swift, National Payment Switches, foreign exchange transactions.
Sources in the banks said precautionary measures will be maintained for a few more days.
As a result, ATM services of banks will remain closed from 11 pm to 8 am. At the same time, their ATM service cannot be transacted on any bankcard other than the bank's own card.
ask/zn
