Warning from Emblem Vault CEO on Zoom Security Vulnerabilities

The chief executive of the non-fungible token platform Emblem Vault, Jake Gallen, has issued an urgent warning to users on X about the potential dangers associated with the video conferencing application Zoom. This caution comes after the dire experience of a nefarious threat actor, who goes by the alias “ELUSIVE COMET,” successfully pilfered over $100,000 worth of personal assets from Gallen himself.

The Compromise and Its Consequences

On April 11, Jake Gallen, who is not only the CEO of Emblem Vault but also a podcaster and avid NFT collector, shared his harrowing ordeal on X. He described undergoing a “complete computer compromise,” which ultimately resulted in the loss of significant amounts of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) from various wallets held in his possession. “Unfortunately, this led to a staggering loss of over $100,000 in purchased digital assets,” Gallen expressed, highlighting the severity of the incident.

In the days that followed this breach, Gallen disclosed that he had taken proactive measures by collaborating with a cybersecurity firm known as The Security Alliance (SEAL) in an attempt to track down the ongoing campaign targeting crypto users perpetrated by the aforementioned threat actor “ELUSIVE COMET.”

Gallen further revealed that the unfortunate scam was executed via the popular video conferencing tool Zoom, which ultimately led to the draining of his crypto wallet. “We managed to retrieve a malware file that was installed on my computer during a Zoom call with an influencer from YouTube who has over 90,000 subscribers,” Gallen remarked on April 14, emphasizing the shocking nature of the encounter.

The Tactics of ELUSIVE COMET

According to SEAL’s reports released in late March, the malicious actor employs advanced social engineering tactics aimed at tricking victims into installing malware, which eventually enables the theft of their cryptocurrency. This new-age cyber theft underscores the evolving nature of threats in the crypto landscape.

The Deceptive Zoom Call

Gallen recounted that he had arranged an interview after receiving outreach from a verified X account boasting 26,000 followers, which allegedly belonged to the founder and CEO of a crypto mining platform. However, during the interview, the X user kept their screen off while Gallen’s camera was active. Tragically, during this deceptive exchange, Gallen was tricked into allowing the installation of malware dubbed “GOOPDATE,” which subsequently stole his credentials and accessed his crypto wallets.

In an attempt to bring awareness to these tactics, Cointelegraph reached out to the X account for a comment regarding the incident, but a response was not immediately provided.

Understanding Zoom’s Remote Access Risks

In his detailed account, Gallen pointed out that the scamming mechanism hinged on the Zoom video call’s default settings. “To facilitate this scam, it’s stated that the guest in the Zoom meeting inadvertently grants remote access to the host—an option that is DEFAULT ON for every personal Zoom account,” Gallen explained, highlighting an alarming vulnerability.

Fellow NFT collector Leonidas corroborated Gallen’s statement, cautioning fellow crypto industry members to disable this remote access feature. He noted, “If you don’t take action to do this, anyone who finds themselves in a Zoom call with your employees could potentially gain complete control over their computer by default.”

Expert Insights from Cybersecurity Professionals

SEAL’s security researcher, Samczsun, elaborated on the issue, stating to Cointelegraph that Zoom’s system—by default—allows meeting attendees to request remote control access during calls. “As of now, we believe the victim needs to be socially engineered into granting this access,” they indicated, underlining the manipulative strategies employed by cybercriminals.

While Cointelegraph sought feedback from Zoom regarding this alarming situation, there was no immediate response forthcoming from the company.

Protecting Your Digital Assets

Gallen also disclosed that the hackers were able to infiltrate his Ledger wallet, even though he had logged in only a handful of times throughout the three years and had refrained from documenting his password digitally. Furthermore, they hacked into his X account in an attempt to lure other unsuspecting victims via private messages.

Notably, SEAL reported that the cybercriminal known as ELUSIVE COMET is linked to a front operation, Aureon Capital, which fraudulently poses as a legitimate venture capital firm. This notorious threat actor has been implicated in “millions of dollars of stolen funds” and poses a considerable risk to users, given their “carefully engineered backstory,” as highlighted by the firm.

Samczsun further advised individuals who may have interacted with Aureon Capital to reach out to SEAL’s emergency hotline available on Telegram for assistance.

How AI legalese decoder Can Help

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In summary, staying vigilant and informed about such threats is essential for anyone engaging in the crypto space, especially on platforms like Zoom that may have enticing features but can also harbor hidden dangers.