Java Module Hack Triggers Crypto Security Warning

Urgent warning: Popular standard Java modules have been compromised, affecting billions of users. Ledger recommends avoiding crypto transactions without a hardware wallet for the time being. What’s going on?

A nightmare for the crypto industry: Yesterday, Monday, a successful attack on widely used standard modules in Java was revealed, which could lead to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency transactions ending up in the hands of hackers. Ledger’s Chief Technology Officer, Charles Guillemet, was one of the first to warn of the danger via X.

He recommends not initiating any crypto transactions at the moment unless they originate from a hardware wallet. Ledger is the market leader among hardware manufacturers, but there’s much more behind this urgent warning than just a promotional campaign.

Other developers like cygaar also confirmed the attack on X, often citing a blog post by JD explaining the situation. According to the post, the attacker managed to take over the account of high-ranking Java developer quix, aka Josh Junon. He confirmed the information on Bluesky. This allowed the attacker to modify more than half a dozen Java modules so that transactions in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, or Litecoin did not arrive where they were supposed to. Instead, they were redirected to the hacker’s wallets.

Hacked Java modules are fixed – this is what you should do

The affected modules have apparently been repaired, so you should keep an eye out for notifications on your wallet that may suggest an update.

The popular MetaMask wallet gave an all-clear message via X , indicating that security measures had apparently taken effect. The Phantom Wallet also assured via X that it had not been compromised. So far, it seems as if the actual damage from the attack remains manageable.

Conclusion: Hardware wallet is essential for crypto security

Among experts, it’s undisputed that hardware wallets like those from Ledger offer the highest level of security against online attacks like yesterday. You can find our extra on hardware wallets here, and remember:

Always order directly from manufacturers like Ledger, as compromised devices keep popping up through other channels. And even though the crypto industry avoided disaster yesterday, the approach is reminiscent of the billion-dollar hack at Bybit in February, where it was already too late by the time the attackers diverted huge sums of Ethereum to their wallets.

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