3,000 YouTube Videos Exposed as Malware Traps in Massive Ghost Network Operation

A malicious network of YouTube accounts has been observed publishing and promoting videos that lead to malware downloads, essentially abusing the popularity and trust associated with the video hosting platform for propagating malicious payloads. Active since 2021, the network has published more...

Scammers Compromised by Own Malware, Expose $4.67M Operation

CloudSEK uncovered a Pakistan-based family cybercrime network that spread infostealers via pirated software, netting $4.67M and millions of…...

New MassJacker Malware Targets Piracy Users, Hijacking Cryptocurrency Transactions

Users searching for pirated software are the target of a new malware campaign that delivers a previously undocumented clipper malware called MassJacker, according to findings from CyberArk. Clipper malware is a type of cryware as coined by Microsoft that's designed to monitor a victim's clipboard...

Inside the Massive Crime Industry That’s Hacking Billion-Dollar Companies

When you download a piece of pirated software, you might also be getting a piece of infostealer malware, and entering a highly complex hacking ecosystem that’s fueling some of the biggest breaches on the planet...

Mac Users Beware: New Trojan-Proxy Malware Spreading via Pirated Software

Unauthorized websites distributing trojanized versions of cracked software have been found to infect Apple macOS users with a new Trojan-Proxy malware. "Attackers can use this type of malware to gain money by building a proxy server network or to perform criminal acts on behalf of the victim: to...

What is Cracktivator software?

Cisco Talos coined the term "Cracktivator software" to reference counterfeit or modified software for pirated versions of Windows applications. One of our teammates, James Nutland, led the research to look into cracked versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system and other Microsoft...

HotRat: New Variant of AsyncRAT Malware Spreading Through Pirated Software

A new variant of AsyncRAT malware dubbed HotRat is being distributed via free, pirated versions of popular software and utilities such as video games, image and sound editing software, and Microsoft Office. "HotRat malware equips attackers with a wide array of capabilities, such as stealing login...

ChromeLoader Malware Targeting Gamers via Fake Nintendo and Steam Game Hacks

A new ChromeLoader malware campaign has been observed being distributed via virtual hard disk VHD files, marking a deviation from the ISO optical disc image format. "These VHD files are being distributed with filenames that make them appear like either hacks or cracks for Nintendo and Steam games...

Researchers Discover Numerous Samples of Information Stealer 'Stealc' in the Wild

A new information stealer called Stealc that's being advertised on the dark web could emerge as a worthy competitor to other malware of its ilk. "The threat actor presents Stealc as a fully featured and ready-to-use stealer, whose development relied on Vidar, Raccoon, Mars, and RedLine stealers,"...

SmokeLoader Infecting Targeted Systems with Amadey Info-Stealing Malware

An information-stealing malware called Amadey is being distributed by means of another backdoor called SmokeLoader. The attacks hinge on tricking users into downloading SmokeLoader that masquerades as software cracks, paving the way for the deployment of Amadey, researchers from the AhnLab Securi...

New PseudoManuscrypt Malware Infected Over 35,000 Computers in 2021

Industrial and government organizations, including enterprises in the military-industrial complex and research laboratories, are the targets of a new malware botnet dubbed PseudoManyscrypt that has infected roughly 35,000 Windows computers this year alone. The name comes from its similarities to...

Raccoon Stealer Bundles Malware, Propagates Via SEO

Criminals behind the Raccoon Stealer platform have updated their services to include tools for siphoning cryptocurrency from a target’s computer and new remote access features for dropping malware and scooping up files. The stealer-as-a-service platform, whose customers are typically rookie...

‘Oddball’ Malware Blocks Access to Pirated Software

The objective of most malware is some kind of gain — financial or otherwise — for the attackers who use it. However, researchers recently observed a unique malware with a single intent: Blocking the infected computers from visiting websites dedicated to software piracy. The malware which SophosLa...

New EvilQuest ransomware hits Mac devices through pirated software

By Zara Khan EvilQuest ransomware also impersonates Google Software Update Program... This is a post from HackRead.com Read the original post: New EvilQuest ransomware hits Mac devices through pirated software...

Breaking down a two-year run of Vivin’s cryptominers

News Summary There is another large-scale cryptomining attack from an actor we are tracking as "Vivin" that has been active since at least November 2017. "Vivin" has consistently evolved over the past few years, despite having poor operational security and exposing key details of their campaign. ...

Hackers using pirated software to spread new cryptomining Mac malware

By Waqas If you download pirated content from torrent platforms, you can be a victim of this Mac malware. There is a new variant of cryptomining malware that is specifically targeting Apple's Mac devices and those users who prefer downloading pirated software from torrent platforms. Dubbed Bird...

This Cryptomining Malware Launches Linux VMs On Windows and macOS

Cybersecurity researchers from at least two firms today unveiled details of a new strain of malware that targets Windows and macOS systems with a Linux-based cryptocurrency mining malware. It may sound strange, but it's true. Dubbed "LoudMiner" and also "Bird Miner," the attack leverages...

Zcash Spurs Rash of Malicious Mining Software

Cybercriminals are targeting computers with malicious mining software thanks in part to the appeal of a new cryptocurrency called Zcash that claims to cloak the sender, the recipient and value of transactions. That type of anonymity is not afforded by Bitcoin and is sought after by crooks, said...

Mumblehard Malware Targets Linux and FreeBSD Servers

Thousands of computers and web servers running Linux and FreeBSD operating systems have been infected over past five years with sophisticated malware that turn the machines into spambots. The new Linux malware, discovered by the security researchers from the antivirus provider Eset, has been dubb...

Microsoft Report Exposes Malware Families Attacking Supply Chain

Less than a month after the Nitol botnet takedown, Microsoft has released data casting more scrutiny of supply chain security. In its latest Security Intelligence Report SIR for the first half of 2012, Microsoft has connected the most prevalent malware families involved in supply chain compromise...