b2b-daily
Home | IT | Cyber Security

Is China’s GoldPickaxe Trojan Stealing Biometric Data to Hack Banks?

Avatar photo
by Paige Williams
February 19, 2024
Image Credit: Unsplash 
Is China’s GoldPickaxe Trojan Stealing Biometric Data to Hack Banks?

Security experts are warning about GoldPickaxe, a new Trojan from the Chinese cybercrime group GoldFactory. It targets smartphone users, stealing their facial biometric data to create deepfake videos aimed at circumventing banking security. The threat primarily affects users in Thailand and Vietnam, where it is spread through fake digital service apps. Victims are often lured by false government promises, such as digital pension services.

On Android, the Trojan is distributed via fake Google Play pages or deceptive corporate websites, whereas Apple’s TestFlight service or bogus mobile device management (MDM) profiles are the vectors for iOS, allowing the attackers to gain control of the devices. This sophisticated Trojan underscores the evolving threats in cybersecurity, particularly in biometric data exploitation, and highlights the need for heightened vigilance among smartphone users in the targeted regions.

Deeper Dive into GoldPickaxe’s Modus Operandi

The GoldPickaxe Trojan, drawing on data from prior breaches to boost its legitimacy, steps beyond identity theft and SMS interception, crucial for two-factor verification. Its most alarming function involves victims recording a video for a supposed ‘identity check’. This footage is used by attackers to create deepfakes, aiming to circumvent facial recognition in banking apps—a tactic that has caught the attention of Thai officials following a rise in fraudulent bank account accesses.

Rooted in the sophisticated cybercrime entity known as GoldFactory, GoldPickaxe exemplifies the creative and sophisticated nature of contemporary digital threats. This reinforces the need for enhanced protective measures, especially for biometric data, reflecting the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity. Thai authorities are closely monitoring the situation as these fraudsters skillfully manipulate biometrics, highlighting an era where vigilance and advanced security protocols are more critical than ever.

Digital TransformationInformation Security

Explore more

Is Understaffing Killing the U.S. Customer Experience?
February 25, 2026

The Growing Divide Between Brand Promises and Operational Reality A walk through a modern American retail store or a call to a service center often reveals a jarring dissonance between the glossy advertisements on a smartphone screen and the reality of waiting for assistance that never arrives. The modern American marketplace is currently grappling with a profound operational paradox: while

How Does Leadership Impact Employee Engagement and Growth?
February 25, 2026

The traditional reliance on superficial office perks has officially dissolved, replaced by a sophisticated understanding that leadership behavior serves as the foundational bedrock of institutional value and long-term employee retention. Modern organizations are witnessing a fundamental shift where employee engagement has transitioned from a peripheral human resources concern to a core driver of competitive advantage. In the current market, success

Trend Analysis: Employee Engagement Strategies
February 25, 2026

The silent erosion of corporate value is no longer a localized issue but a systemic failure that drains trillions of dollars from the global economy every single year. While boardroom discussions increasingly center on the human element of business, a profound paradox has emerged where leadership’s obsession with “engagement” is met with an equally profound sense of detachment from the

How to Master Digital Marketing Materials for 2026?
February 25, 2026

The convergence of advanced consumer analytics and high-fidelity creative execution has transformed digital marketing materials into the most critical infrastructure for global commerce. As worldwide e-commerce spending approaches the half-trillion-dollar threshold this year, the ability to produce high-performing digital assets has become the primary differentiator between market leaders and those struggling for relevance. This analysis explores the current landscape of

Optimizing Email Marketing Timing and Strategy for 2026
February 25, 2026

The difference between a record-breaking sales quarter and a stagnant marketing budget often comes down to a window of time shorter than the duration of a morning coffee break. In the current digital landscape, where the average consumer receives hundreds of notifications daily, an email that arrives just thirty minutes too early or too late is frequently relegated to the