Cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex has recently fallen prey to a phishing attack on one of its customer support representatives. This incident serves as a reminder of the constant threats faced by major crypto infrastructures like trading exchanges.
Bitfinex has assured its users that their data remains safe and intact. In a blog post on November 4, the exchange disclosed that the attackers targeted a customer support agent with limited access to only supporting tools and helpdesk tickets. As a result, the hackers were unable to obtain any valuable information and could only access a small portion of Bitfinex’s customer support boards, which contained “partial, incomplete and stale information.”
Bitfinex has clarified that none of its operational systems, servers, wallets, or database infrastructure were compromised, and all customer assets remained secure throughout the incident. However, some accounts were affected, although these accounts were either empty or non-functional. Bitfinex has pledged to reach out to the owners of these affected accounts.
The exchange has taken immediate action by notifying law enforcement and intends to work closely with them to bring the hackers to justice. Founded in 2012, Bitfinex is one of the oldest exchanges with 3 million active users and serves customers from over 50 countries.
Unfortunately, attacks on crypto exchanges are not uncommon due to the significant assets they hold. Upbit, a South Korean exchange, reported approximately 160,000 hacking attempts on its infrastructure in the first half of 2023, twice the number compared to the same period in 2022. While Bitfinex and Upbit have managed to withstand these attacks, other exchanges have suffered substantial losses.
For instance, Bitrue, with a daily trading volume of $1 billion, fell victim to an exploit in April, resulting in the loss of approximately $23 million worth of digital assets. Similarly, CoinEx, based in Hong Kong, experienced the largest centralized crypto exchange heist in 2023 when hackers drained about $55.5 million worth of cryptocurrency from its hot wallets. These incidents highlight the ongoing need for enhanced security systems within the crypto space.
In conclusion, Bitfinex has addressed the recent phishing attack swiftly, ensuring the safety of user data. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the persistent threats faced by crypto exchanges and the importance of continually improving security measures in the industry.
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About the author - J-S Tremblay
I've been involved in the cryptocurrency world since 2016 and trading since 2019. I started Moon and Lambo in 2021. I'm passionate about crypto and love to share my knowledge. I hate bankers and I hope that cryptocurrency will change the financial world for the better. View full profile...
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