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dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
Wed Mar 16, 2016, 12:10 PM Mar 2016

Yet another reason to use ad blockers:........ Major sites hit by 'ransomware' malvertising

A number of major news websites have seen adverts hijacked by a malicious campaign that attempts to install “ransomware” on users computers, according to a warning from security researchers Malwarebytes.

The attack, which was targeted at US users, hit websites including the New York Times, the BBC, AOL and the NFL over the weekend. Combined, the targeted sites have traffic in the billions of visitors.

The malware was delivered through multiple ad networks, and used a number of vulnerabilities, including a recently-patched flaw in Microsoft’s former Flash competitor Silverlight, which was discontinued in 2013.

When the infected adverts hit users, they redirect the page to servers hosting the malware, which includes the widely-used (amongst cybercriminals) Angler exploit kit. That kit then attempts to find any back door it can into the target’s computer, where it will install cryptolocker-style software, which encrypts the user’s hard drive and demands payment in bitcoin for the keys to unlock it.
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/16/major-sites-new-york-times-bbc-ransomware-malvertising
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Yet another reason to use ad blockers:........ Major sites hit by 'ransomware' malvertising (Original Post) dixiegrrrrl Mar 2016 OP
It's only a matter of time before the SHTF, digitally-speaking StandingInLeftField Mar 2016 #1
I have Malwarebytes... CanSocDem Mar 2016 #2
Of course the Chinese are behind this Blue_Tires Mar 2016 #3
Unless I am mistaken... tkmorris Mar 2016 #4
I use uBlock Origin on Firefox. Odin2005 Mar 2016 #5
Best thing I ever did was get the paid for version of Malwarebytes hobbit709 Mar 2016 #6
Don't think you're safe on android JesterCS Mar 2016 #7
It is said that Linux is a bit safer dixiegrrrrl Mar 2016 #9
Still safer on Mac... thesquanderer Mar 2016 #8
1. It's only a matter of time before the SHTF, digitally-speaking
Wed Mar 16, 2016, 12:13 PM
Mar 2016

And the digital carnage will have all-too-real-world consequences.

 

CanSocDem

(3,286 posts)
2. I have Malwarebytes...
Wed Mar 16, 2016, 12:46 PM
Mar 2016


...Anti-Malware program and these threats have hit me twice in the last week. Popup shuts everything down and warns against turning off computer with threats that are beyond my comprehension. After the first one, I called my 'tech-guy' and he assured me they were "scams" designed to sell me more products.

As my PC is already limping along after the introduction of WIN 10 and waiting for the opportunity to re-install XP or WIN 8, I don't hesitate to shut it all down. And whatever faith I ever had in MS takes another hit.


.

tkmorris

(11,138 posts)
4. Unless I am mistaken...
Wed Mar 16, 2016, 12:59 PM
Mar 2016

The majority of these ransomware attacks have been traced to Russia and Eastern Europe.

hobbit709

(41,694 posts)
6. Best thing I ever did was get the paid for version of Malwarebytes
Wed Mar 16, 2016, 05:50 PM
Mar 2016

Bought it on sale for $10 when it was a lifetime deal instead of a 1 year subscription.

JesterCS

(1,827 posts)
7. Don't think you're safe on android
Thu Mar 17, 2016, 05:58 AM
Mar 2016

Buddy of mine got ransomwared on his tablet. All we did is factory reset it. But yes, be careful guys and gals

thesquanderer

(11,955 posts)
8. Still safer on Mac...
Thu Mar 17, 2016, 08:26 AM
Mar 2016

only one occurrence of ransomware, and it was enabled through a bittorrent downloader (not something most people use), and it's already been patched.

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