GTBank Assures Customers Amid Cybersecurity Concerns Following Attempted Hacking Incident

GTBank Assures Customers Amid Cybersecurity Concerns Following Attempted Hacking Incident
Image credit: Al Jazeera

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) recently confirmed an attempted hacking incident on its website, responding to media reports that inaccurately claimed hackers had seized and cloned the bank’s site to intercept customer data. The bank clarified that, while there was an isolated attempt to compromise its domain, no customer data was at risk.

Disruption After Domain Renewal Causes Concern

The hacking attempt occurred shortly after GTBank renewed its domain name, causing a temporary disruption to its website. This led to customers being unable to access online services, which sparked widespread concern and speculation that the bank’s website had been cloned. The resulting media reports heightened fears about the potential compromise of customer data.

GTBank Confirms No Data Compromise and Refutes Cloning Claims

In a statement released on Thursday, GTBank reassured customers that the website had not been cloned and emphasized that no customer information is stored on the website. The bank urged customers to disregard the inaccurate reports circulating in the media, affirming that their data remains secure.

Cybersecurity Measures and Restoration Efforts

GTBank highlighted that its Information Security Experts are working tirelessly to restore domain settings. The bank also reiterated its commitment to protecting customer data, urging everyone to remain calm and confident in the bank’s robust security measures.

Incident Highlights Cybersecurity Threats to Nigerian Banks

The hacking attempt, which began on the night of August 14, 2024, occurred just a day after GTBank renewed its domain name for another five years. Some reports falsely claimed that hackers had created a fake version of the GTBank website to conduct a phishing operation aimed at stealing customer information. The incident led to a wave of customer complaints on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), as users reported being unable to access the bank’s website for transactions.

Despite these concerns, GTBank’s mobile applications on Android and iOS remained fully functional during this period. This incident underscores the increasing threat of cyberattacks on financial institutions in Nigeria, where hackers are increasingly targeting bank websites for phishing and other malicious activities.