The notorious hacking group, CiberInteligenciaSV, has successfully breached the El Salvador Bitcoin Chivo Wallet. However, despite this setback, El Salvador remains committed to its Bitcoin strategy and has recently integrated a Diploma program about Bitcoin in schools.
The Chivo Wallet, which is the official Bitcoin wallet for El Salvadoran nationals, has fallen victim to a security breach. CiberInteligenciaSV, a group of hackers, orchestrated the attack, resulting in the exposure of the Chivo Wallet’s source code and VPN.
The hack took place on Tuesday when CiberInteligenciaSV released a portion of the source code on BreachForums, a well-known forum for cybercriminals. The hacker group boldly stated, “This time I bring you the code that is inside the Bitcoin Chivo Wallet ATMs in El Salvador, remember that it is a government wallet, and as you know, we do not sell, we publish everything for free for you.”
This incident raises concerns about the overall security of the Chivo Wallet, especially since it occurred less than a month after the personal information of approximately 5.1 million Salvadorans was exposed in a separate attack. Interestingly, VenariX, a local cybersecurity project, had hinted at the recent attack on Monday. They posted on the X platform, saying, “The hacker group CiberInteligenciaSV announces in its Telegram account that it will publish part of the source code and VPN accesses of Chivo Wallet.”
In addition to leaking the source code, the hackers also made public the VPN credentials, which could potentially allow unauthorized users to access the network controlling the Chivo ATMs located throughout the country. The consequences of this leak are significant. It raises concerns about the integrity of the Chivo Wallet, potentially granting hackers unauthorized access or full control over user accounts. Furthermore, the release of the codes and VPN details raises fears of identity theft and fraud among the population. So far, the Salvadoran government has not issued an official statement regarding this exposure.
Despite these challenges, El Salvador remains steadfast in its plan for the Chivo Wallet. Launched in September 2021, the wallet aligns with the country’s ambitious goal of legalizing Bitcoin as a legal tender and reducing reliance on traditional banking systems. President Nayib Bukele announced that all 200 ATMs in El Salvador were fully operational, along with an additional 50 installed in the US for Salvadorans to use.
The Chivo Wallet offers several benefits to users, including free deposits, withdrawals, and purchases. Users can also transfer funds between their bank accounts and Chivo wallets. Additionally, the option to reload Chivo with credit, debit, and gift cards has been enabled. Despite encountering technical glitches, the wallet presents an intriguing approach.
Furthermore, El Salvador is taking steps to accelerate the acceptance of Bitcoin among its citizens. As previously reported, the country recently introduced a Bitcoin Diploma program in public schools to enhance awareness and understanding of Bitcoin’s technology among students.
In conclusion, despite the security breach of the Chivo Wallet by the hacking group CiberInteligenciaSV, El Salvador remains committed to its Bitcoin strategy. The integration of a Bitcoin Diploma program in schools demonstrates the nation’s dedication to promoting Bitcoin’s acceptance and understanding among its populace.
