{
  "timestamp": "2025-02-05T22:58:06.959570",
  "model": "deepseek/deepseek-r1-distill-llama-70b",
  "request": {
    "messages": [
      {
        "role": "system",
        "content": "You are a security advisor providing end-user guidance on data security and protection.\n            Focus on practical, easy-to-follow security recommendations."
      },
      {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "\n            Provide clear security guidance based on:\n            \n            Content to reference:\n            Search Free Trial Get Demo Police Phishing Attack Targets Bank Credentials October 12, 2018 In a sophisticated criminal scheme, an email impersonating the Icelandic police was sent to thousands of Icelanders this past weekend, falsely requesting the recipient come in for questioning. Since it directly involved impersonating the authorities, who say this is the largest cyberattack to hit the country of Iceland, and included an extremely realistic spoofed website for the L\u00f6greglanthe Icelandic policeyou can be sure it has attracted their full attention. The objective of the email attack, which began October 6 th , is the delivery of a Remote Access Trojan RAT, with keylogging and password stealing capabilities. To motivate the recipient, the email threatens that an arrest warrant may be issued in the event of non-compliance, and conveniently provides a link for more information about the case. Figure 1 The domain in the email looks like the real thing Lookalike Domain and Website Several measures taken by the deceptive email campaigns author create the illusion of authenticity for many recipients. First, the criminals use a technique called script spoofing, or an internationalized domain name IDN homograph, which involves creating a lookalike domain name using similar characters to the actual URL address. In this case, the real Icelandic police use the domain www.logreglan.is . However, the attacker registered a domain name of www.logregian.isusing a lower case i which on first glance, may appear like a lower case L or l. For the URL link in the body of the email, the attackers switched the lower case i for a capital i or I, so the i actually looks like a small Lmaking it indistinguishable from logreglan to almost any web user. In addition, the domain used in the attack was registered in Iceland through a compromised account by the Icelandic domain registration ISNIC authority. When the victim clicks on the fake URL, he is taken to a website that is a near perfect imitation of the official web site of the Icelandic police. A data entry box is provided for an Icelandic social security number. And, this is where things get a bit scary. In a typical phishing attack, the fake website capturing the data has no idea whether the victim is entering real or fake information. In fact, one of the tests that security professionals often suggest if youre unsure of about the validity of a website is to enter false informationfor example, a fake email address or fake bank account number. A real website will be able to distinguish if fake information is entered and will flag the error. However, in the case of this attack, if the victim happens to enter the wrong social security number or a number in the incorrect format, an alert appears telling the victim that the number is not correct. And, then after the correct social security number is entered, the victim is taken to a new page where the victims actual name is displayed. Backend data and website interaction adds to realism In Iceland a persons social security number or name is available for online public consultation through local banksto get a name, you need a social security number to get a social security number you need a name. Normally, you must be logged into your online bank to be able to query a social security number, but in this case, the attacker appears to have solved this constraint in some manner. While it remains unknown exactly how the criminal obtained this information, one hypothesis is that they were using a database that was leaked many years ago. Figure 2 The fake Icelandic police landing page where victims were asked to enter their correct social security number To further create a sense of authenticity, the victim is asked to type in an authentication number contained in the email that was sent to him, as shown in Figure 2 below. Figure 3 The recipients name and social security number are shown, and then they enter an authentication number from the email The next page automatically downloads a password protected .rar file, but the password for the file shown on the website is always the same. The file is supposed to include documents related to the case, but instead triggers a Remote Access Trojan RAT with keylogging and password-stealing abilities. The page where the .rar file is downloaded The extracted .rar file is a .scr file Windows Screensaver disguised as a word document with a long name, so the file extension is hidden. The file name is Bo\u00f0un \u00ed sk\u00fdrslut\u00f6ku LRH 30 \u00d3kt\u00f3ber.scr which translates roughly to Called in for questioning by the police on October 30 th . Figure 3 The .rar file and the .scr file that are disguised as a Word document When the file from the .rar archive that looks like a word document is executed, a file called Yfirvold.exe is dropped in APPDATARoamingYfirvold. Yfirvold in Icelandic means authorities. Yfirvold.exe and Bo\u00f0un \u00ed sk\u00fdrslut\u00f6ku LRH 30 \u00d3kt\u00f3ber.scr are actually the same file. The .scr part is just to drop and hide Yfirvold.exe in APPDATA. Yfirvold.vbs is also dropped in AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup. The .vbs file is placed in the Windows Startup folder. So, if the victim reboots his machine the .vbs script will execute Yfirvold.exe. Yfirvold.vbs Remote Access Trojan Steals Passwords Yfirvold.exe is a remote access trojan RAT with password-stealing and keylogging capabilities. After execution, it starts collecting sensitive information stored in browser cookiessuch as user names and passwordsfrom the victims computer. Figure 4 The malware collects passwords and cookies from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer The malware then initiates a keylogger and collects input from the victims keyboard and stores it in logs that are then uploaded to the attackers command and controller server. The servers that the malware connects to are located in Germany and Holland. KeyLogger Started The attacker is able to access the infected computer since the malware has remote access capabilities. The malware uses code and components from a known remote access software called the Remote Control  Surveillance Software or REMCOS from breaking-security.net. The malware uses code and components from REMCOS software The malware specifically targets Icelanders since it checks if the victim is accessing the largest online banks in Iceland. And with its remote access connection and keylogging capabilities, it is able to do much damage with that information and access. Strings from memory show domains of some of the largest banks in Iceland Icelandic law enforcement believe attack was inside job The Icelandic police have stated that this is Icelands largest cyber-attack so far, and have confirmed that many targeted recipients fell for this attack. Its not known whos behind this attack, but based on the text from the email, the text on the website, and that the attacker has the data from Icelandic registries, they believe it points to an inside job by a local. File and Detection Information Files Bo\u00f0un \u00ed sk\u00fdrslut\u00f6ku LRH 30 \u00d3kt\u00f3ber.scr SHA256 53cf32ce0c34df94422c43e295e928c69c7b1b2090cf6943000470f7e0128d67 Yfirvold.exe SHA256 53cf32ce0c34df94422c43e295e928c69c7b1b2090cf6943000470f7e0128d67 Yfirvold.vbs SHA2563898E59003C03CED233DB5F5046C55355B418A4F21BCAE38F67E8D6F6972B9BD Cyren detects the files as W32Trojan.XJYK-3836 Connections the.shadesoul.online  IP 178.162.212.214  Germany iam.shadesoul.online  IP 213.152.161.219  Netherlands heis.shadesoul.online  IP 109.202.107.147  Netherlands Try it for Free Instant Data Classification Cyren URL Category Chacker Prev Survey Says 44 of Companies Phished This Year Not-Really-Password-Protected Evasion Technique Resurfaces Next Company Partners Resources Investor Relations Products Freeware Demo Solutions Contact Us Privacy Management Service by Data443\n            \n            Your guidance should include:\n            1. Easy-to-follow security best practices\n            2. Data protection recommendations\n            3. Safe usage guidelines\n            4. Common security risks and prevention\n            5. Privacy protection measures\n            6. When to seek additional security support\n            "
      }
    ],
    "model": "deepseek/deepseek-r1-distill-llama-70b"
  },
  "response": {
    "content": "### Security Guidance for End-Users\n\nThe incident described, where a phishing attack impersonated the Icelandic police to steal bank credentials, highlights the importance of staying vigilant and adopting best practices to protect your data and privacy. Below is a comprehensive set of easy-to-follow security recommendations to help you safeguard yourself against such threats.\n\n---\n\n### **1. Security Best Practices**\n\n#### **a. Verify the Source of Emails**\n- **Check the sender's email address:** Scammers often use fake email addresses that closely resemble legitimate ones. Look for subtle misspellings or unusual characters.\n- **Hover over links:** Before clicking on links, hover over them to see the full URL. Legitimate URLs from organizations like banks or government agencies should match the official website domain.\n- **Avoid interacting with suspicious emails:** If an email seems urgent, threatening, or too good to be true, it\u2019s likely a scam. Do not click on links or download attachments.\n\n#### **b. Be Cautious with Links and Attachments**\n- **Avoid clicking on links from untrusted sources:** If unsure, contact the organization directly through a verified phone number or website.\n- **Do not download files from untrusted emails:** Files like .rar, .zip, or .scr may contain malware.\n\n#### **c. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)**\n- Enable 2FA for your online accounts whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security beyond just a username and password.\n\n#### **d. Keep Software Updated**\n- Regularly update your operating system, browser, and antivirus software to protect against vulnerabilities that malware can exploit.\n\n---\n\n### **2. Data Protection Recommendations**\n\n#### **a. Protect Your Credentials**\n- Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple platforms.\n- Consider using a password manager to securely store and manage your credentials.\n\n#### **b. Monitor Your Accounts**\n- Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.\n- Enable alerts for suspicious activity on your accounts.\n\n#### **c. Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information**\n- Never share your social security number, bank details, or other sensitive information in response to unsolicited emails or calls.\n\n---\n\n### **3. Safe Usage Guidelines**\n\n#### **a. Spotting Phishing Attempts**\n- Be wary of emails or messages that create a sense of urgency or fear, such as threats of legal action or account suspension.\n- Look for poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or inconsistent branding, which are common signs of phishing.\n\n#### **b. Use HTTPS**\n- When entering sensitive information online, ensure the website URL starts with \"https://\" and has a padlock icon in the address bar.\n\n#### **c. Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Tasks**\n- Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured. Avoid accessing bank accounts or entering sensitive information when connected to public Wi-Fi.\n\n---\n\n### **4. Common Security Risks and Prevention**\n\n#### **a. Spoofed Domains**\n- Attackers may use domains that look similar to legitimate ones (e.g., using \"i\" instead of \"l\" or lowercase characters). Always double-check URLs before clicking.\n\n#### **b. Social Engineering**\n- Scammers may impersonate authorities, banks, or other trusted entities to trick you into sharing information. Always verify the identity of the sender before taking any action.\n\n#### **c. Malware**\n- Be cautious of downloading files or software from untrusted sources. Malware can steal passwords, log keystrokes, or gain remote access to your device.\n\n---\n\n### **5. Privacy Protection Measures**\n\n#### **a. Limit Sharing of Personal Information**\n- Avoid sharing sensitive information like social security numbers or bank details unless absolutely necessary and through secure channels.\n\n#### **b. Enable Privacy Settings**\n- Review and adjust privacy settings on social media and online accounts to minimize the amount of personal information available to the public.\n\n#### **c. Use Encrypted Communication**\n- Use end-to-end encrypted messaging apps (e.g., Signal, WhatsApp) for sensitive conversations.\n\n---\n\n### **6. When to Seek Additional Security Support**\n\n#### **a. If You Suspect a Phishing Attack**\n- Report suspicious emails to your organization\u2019s IT department or the relevant authorities (e.g., local cybercrime unit).\n- Do not interact with the email further or click on any links.\n\n#### **b. If You\u2019ve Fallen Victim**\n- Change your passwords immediately, especially for sensitive accounts.\n- Contact your bank or relevant organizations to report the incident and monitor for unauthorized activity.\n- Run a full antivirus scan on your device to detect and remove malware.\n\n#### **c. If You\u2019re Unsure**\n- Consult with a trusted IT professional or cybersecurity expert for guidance on securing your devices and accounts.\n\n---\n\n### **7. Additional Tips**\n\n#### **a. Educate Yourself**\n- Stay informed about common phishing techniques and cybersecurity trends. Awareness is your best defense.\n\n#### **b. Use Antivirus Software**\n- Install and regularly update antivirus software to detect and block malicious files and websites.\n\n#### **c. Backup Your Data**\n- Regularly backup important files to an external drive or secure cloud storage service. This ensures your data is recoverable in case of an attack.\n\n---\n\nBy following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to phishing attacks and other cyber threats. Stay vigilant, and remember: it\u2019s always better to err on the side of caution when interacting with unsolicited emails or websites.",
    "usage": {
      "prompt_tokens": 1806,
      "completion_tokens": 1662,
      "total_tokens": 3468
    },
    "model": "deepseek/deepseek-r1-distill-llama-70b"
  }
}