‘Fake rumors’: 1LINK says no cyber threat to ATMs, online banking in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: One of Pakistan’s most prominent payment system operators, 1LINK Limited, has dismissed reports and speculation of a major cyberattack on automated teller machines (ATMs) and online banking across Pakistan, referring to them as “fake rumors.”
A message circulated widely on WhatsApp and social media platforms in Pakistan last week said ATMs would not function for two to three days as a ransomware had targeted the machines. The message warned users against undertaking any online transactions and also urged them to advise their contacts against opening a video called “Dance of the Hillary,” saying it was a virus that formats mobiles.
In a press release on Sunday, 1LINK dismissed the widely circulated message as a “fake” one, urging people not to pay heed to it.
“The public is advised not to pay any attention to such hoaxes and to consult their banks for any guidance,” 1LINK said, adding that Pakistan’s central bank “is actively working” with banks and 1LINK to maintain the security of the country’s financial infrastructure and digital payments ecosystem.
“Thus far, no cyber threat has been observed on the ATM and online banking ecosystem in this context, and the financial service industry remains vigilant as ever before,” the statement concluded.
1LINK is a prominent Pakistani payments operator system owned by a consortium of 11 banks. It provides a host of valuable online banking services like ATM switching, bill payments, interbank funds transfer, fraud risk management, switch dispute resolution and domestic as well as international payment schemes.