malware - SlashGear

Android’s WannaCry “SLocker” source leaks online: Here’s how to avoid it

Chris Burns | Jul 24, 2017

A piece of mobile ransomware that mimics the methods of WannaCry malware has leaked online. The source code for the malicious software has been spilled to the web, allowing this "SLocker" to be downloaded and spread ad infinitum. The source code might also give security experts an easy way to ramp up protection against the malicious code - but the potential costs far outweigh the potential benefits.

CopyCat Android malware enters here: how to avoid its coils

Chris Burns | Jul 7, 2017

Over the past couple of years, the Android-based malware known as CopyCat infected 14-million devices. This monster of a smartphone infection is based in rooting the smartphone, thereby giving it access to the entirety of the device's innards. There's only one known way for CopyCat to make its way into an Android device - installation through a non-Google Play app market.

2017 Petya malware actually irreversibly wipes data

JC Torres | Jun 28, 2017

It smelled like a ransomware and talked like a ransomware but, in fact, it was worse than a ransomware. Although it has been labeled as a strain of a 2016 ransomware, this year's "Petya" malware has been mislabeled. According to cybersecurity outfit Comae Technologies, the so-called Petya.2017 is actually a wiper masquerading as a ransomware, doing irrecoverable damage to data on drives. To add insult to injury, this wiper was specifically designed to look like the first Petya in order to fool media into thinking that it is.

There’s a huge ransomware attack going on: What you need to know

Eric Abent | Jun 27, 2017

As if last month's major malware attack wasn't enough, today we're hearing about large-scale ransomware attack that that is crippling IT systems around the world. While some of the details are a little unclear at this early stage, it's obvious that this is a massive attack. It may even take advantage of the same weaknesses that allowed Wannacry to spread so quickly last month.

This popular app is infected: Chrome-lookalike Magic Browser

Chris Burns | Jun 26, 2017

Users that've downloaded the app "Magic Browser" at any point in the past should delete the app immediately. This app has been found to contain malware of a simple sort - but terrible nonetheless. This app's malware is especially dangerous not because of what it can do to an average user's phone, but because of how crafty it is in making it's way into the phone - trickery!

Windows XP PSA: There’s a huge, unusual security update you need to install

Chris Davies | Jun 13, 2017

Windows XP users are being warned to update their PC, after Microsoft spotted "elevated risk" of cyberattacks from WannaCrypt-style malware. The update, which is being pushed out today as part of the company's regular Update Tuesday service, is unusual, because officially Windows XP falls outside of the currently active operating systems that Microsoft supports. In fact, Microsoft put Windows XP out to pasture back in April 2014.

Popular DVD-ripping app HandBrake hacked to carry malware

JC Torres | May 9, 2017

As if it weren't already difficult enough to steer clear of suspicious downloaded programs, some hackers have managed to infiltrate even legitimate sources of software to turn them into sources of malware. That was the case last week when it was discovered that HandBrake, a popular open source DVD-ripping and transcoding program, was carrying and installing the OSX.Proton malware through no fault of HandBrake itself. It's all because someone managed to hack HandBrake's website and replace a legit copy of the program with an infected one.

Malware makes users play game for high score instead of paying ransom

Adam Westlake | Apr 9, 2017

These days, it's no surprise when a new type of malware turns up to exploit and abuse users, but a recently discovered variant of ransomware is something else entirely. Instead of holding someone's files for ransom until a payment is made to hackers, "Rensenware" requires that users play a punishing video game and reach a high score in order to get their data back.

Hackers take down DC’s CCTV system with ransomware attack

Eric Abent | Jan 30, 2017

The Washington DC police department has revealed that a large percentage of its CCTV cameras were taken offline in a ransomware attack. The security breach was discovered earlier in the month, and it left a number of cameras unable to record as the police department worked to remove the ransomware.

Beware the Meitu photo filter app – it just stole your phone’s ID [UPDATE]

Chris Burns | Jan 19, 2017

It's time to uninstall Meitu, the photo app masses of users downloaded over the past week to make their selfies look wacky. This app was found today to be sending IMEI numbers to several China-based digital locations. That alone isn't enough to do a whole lot, but given the massive amount of permissions the app seeks (and is granted) when it's installed, the app has effectively given someone in China the ability to take control of the phone it's installed on. In other words - uninstall Meitu (and any apps made by the same company) IMMEDIATELY and consider changing all passwords of apps and accounts associated with your smartphone.

Christmas gift warning: Barnes & Noble NOOK has malware

Chris Burns | Dec 22, 2016

Malware by the name of ADUPS has been discovered this week that the most recent version of the Barnes & Noble NOOK tablet. This is a device available for sale from Barnes & Noble currently, and the device works with ADUPS inside when first taken out of its box. Whatever you do, gift receiver on the eve or morn of your favorite holiday, do not connect that NOOK to the internet and start signing in to accounts - hold off!

ZTE, Lenovo, Archos dragged into BLU’s AdUps scandal [UPDATE]

JC Torres | Dec 19, 2016

Warranted or not, Chinese companies have had the misfortune of being associated with shady business practices and espionage. That has recently come to a rather sour turn when that situation directly reached US shores via Florida-based mobile device maker BLU Products. It seems, however, that the extent of the AdUps spyware is more far-reaching than initially thought. According to a report from mobile security outfit Trustlook, AdUps’ list of customers also includes some rather known brands like ZTE, Lenovo, MediaTek, and even France-based Archos.