Some members at Harbor Federal CU have found that their computers are infected with a virus that attempts to mimic the Harbor @ccess home banking page, demanding financial information.

We will NEVER ask for your credit card number, PIN number or any account information to verify your identity. If you ever receive a computer screen that asks for any of these items of information, DO NOT comply with the request, close your Internet browser and call us at the number below. Please make sure your antivirus software is up to date to prevent against these viruses.

Here is a screen shot of what it looks like:



What makes this new virus so dangerous is that it can imitate many of the security features legitimate Websites typically use to alert a visitor that they are viewing a secure page. If affected by this virus, you might be directed to a false Web page that looks similar to one you intend to visit, including actual images and similar page design. The virus is commonly called “Zeus” and is relatively new. This is what the Times of London has written about the virus:

“The virus, known as ZeuS or Zbot Trojan, bypasses security safeguards to record online bank account details, passwords and credit card numbers. It also copies passwords for social networking sites before causing each computer to forward the data to servers under the control of the hackers. It has emerged in several guises, including a false Facebook page that encouraged users to download a software update.”

How It Works

Once your computer is infected with the “Zeus” virus, it waits for your Internet browser to request a secure online banking page. It then redirects your browser to a false site that includes “screen shots” of the legitimate site so that the user suspects nothing is wrong. The false site may include a secure sign in block that, when used, prompts the user for Multi-factor Authentication information much the same way that a legitimate secure site often will. At this point the false site is attempting to get the user to enter personal information such as a credit card number, expiration date, PIN number, etc.

What You Should Do If you encounter similar screens when attempting to log in to Harbor @ccess, Please DO NOT enter any personal information. Close your browser and call us immediately at this phone number 310-816-0440. Please make sure your antivirus software is up to date. Once your antivirus software is updated please make sure to run a system scan.