The word, ‘commjacking’ is a derivation of hijacking and communications. It is a method of intercepting the data and voice flows, or communication channels, from any device that can connect to cellular or WiFi networks. Once those flows are intercepted, hackers can get to any information you are sharing through that device, including personal details, login credentials and so on. Commjackers can even listen into conversations, intercept and manipulate SMS and email messages and all in real-time too – you can imagine the types of disruption, financial losses and even danger this poses, to any sized enterprise. The next time you’re in a coffee shop and connecting to what seems to be the coffee shop’s WiFi…think several times before joining it, as it may not be the legitimate Wi-Fi you think it is.
The simple reason for commjacking is financial gain. Whether it is to steal banking login credentials, or sensitive company information, commjackers have found a new way in and are exploiting it to its full capability. CoroNet understands the complexities of this problem and has created a solution that will stop commjacking in its tracks.
Commjacking is the result of technology innovation and increasingly powerful computers that are available to everyone. This is what makes it so easy to commit cybercrime. What was once the domain of governments and cost a small fortune to execute, is now available using open source software, small hardware device to create a malicious access point and a 13 inch laptop – mix them with criminal intent and you’re ready to intercept someone’s mobile communication.
This is no outlier problem. Some quite frightening statistics are starting to appear. In Europe, 300,000 home routers have been targeted by commjacking. In Asia, a recent spate of cyber-attacks targeted at executive level hotel guests, nicknamed ‘Dark Hotel’, saw targeted executives having sensitive data, including login credentials, stolen. These sorts of attacks show the levels of sophistication hackers are now using to commit cybercrimes. Commjacking is the new kid on the block when it comes to cybercrime, but CoroNet is ready to take it on.
So what’s CoroNet about?
CoroNet are a cyber-security firm, based in Israel and specializing in cellular and Wi-Fi communications security. In May 2015 we were very proudly presented with a Cisco award for being one of 15 top software innovators. The Wi-Fi and cellular communication security space is the last unprotected frontier and firms need to be highly innovative in their approach to build successful barriers to commjacking. We at CoroNet know that this is an area of great interest to cybercriminals, but little is being done to protect that space. Cybercriminals are exploring new sandboxes to play in and the area of Wi-Fi and cellular communications is the perfect playground for them.
This is where CoroNet comes in. CoroNet has researched the area of wireless communications in great detail. We have found around 120 different ways that cybercriminals can hijack wireless communications. It is this research and expertise that has allowed us to develop a way to thwart the cybercriminals. We’ve made it really easy for anyone using a Windows, Android, or IOS device to protect their data from commjackers. It works like sonar, building up profiles of Wi-Fi and cellular networks, analyzing these profiles and spotting anomalies. We then use algorithms to determine if the anomaly is hostile or not. If a hostile node is detected, we route the data and voice to a safe node; it’s like having a protective cloak around your device.
CoroNet is seeing traction in the market, especially in the financial sector. Banks and other financial services are serious targets for cybercriminals, especially in the wireless communication area. Cybercriminals are regularly going after banking login credentials, credit and debit card details and similar financial data. PWC in a recent survey, ‘Fighting Economic Crime in the Financial Services Area’, found that they were being targeted at a much greater rate than other industries, with mobile devices making those risks even greater. However all industries are at risk of this type of crime and it is growing year on year.
CoroNet sees wireless and cellular communications as the last unprotected frontier. We want to be seen as synonymous with wireless protection, across all devices that can connect via cellular and Wi-Fi networks. We aim for organizations to think of CoroNet as the domain expert in the field when they look to protecting their wireless domain.