Manta Network Founder Foils Sophisticated Zoom Hack Attempt

Kenny Li, co-founder of Manta Network, recently revealed a thwarted phishing attempt using Zoom. The attack employed incredibly realistic video of familiar individuals, aiming to trick Li into downloading malware.

The meeting appeared authentic, with the imposter’s video feed active. However, the absence of audio and a suspicious request to download a script raised Li’s suspicion, prompting him to immediately end the call, as detailed in an April 17th X post.

Li’s subsequent attempt to verify the imposter’s identity via Telegram was unsuccessful; the messages were deleted, and he was blocked. He believes the North Korean Lazarus Group was behind the attack.

Li’s quick thinking allowed him to capture screenshots of the interaction, including an initial suggestion to switch to Google Meet. He suspects the live video was sourced from past recordings of team members, noting the high-quality, realistic nature of the video stream.

Li confirmed that the accounts of the individuals impersonated had been compromised.

Li’s Warning: Avoid Unprompted Downloads

Li cautions the crypto community to be wary of unexpected download requests, emphasizing that any prompt to download files—updates, attachments, apps, etc.—should be treated with extreme caution.

\”Never download anything unless you’ve independently verified its legitimacy. It’s the biggest red flag.\”

He acknowledges the sophistication of the attack, specifically targeting the fatigue and reliance on quick decisions common in the fast-paced crypto world.

Not an Isolated Incident

Li’s experience is not unique. Other members of the crypto community have reported similar attacks, highlighting the widespread nature of these sophisticated phishing schemes.