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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsYet 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 Microsofts 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 targets computer, where it will install cryptolocker-style software, which encrypts the users 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-malvertisingThe 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 Microsofts 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 targets computer, where it will install cryptolocker-style software, which encrypts the users hard drive and demands payment in bitcoin for the keys to unlock it.
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Yet another reason to use ad blockers:........ Major sites hit by 'ransomware' malvertising (Original Post)
dixiegrrrrl
Mar 2016
OP
StandingInLeftField
(972 posts)1. It's only a matter of time before the SHTF, digitally-speaking
And the digital carnage will have all-too-real-world consequences.
CanSocDem
(3,286 posts)2. I have Malwarebytes...
...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.
.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)3. Of course the Chinese are behind this
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35811777
Won't hear a peep from Snowflake about this little tidbit, though...
Won't hear a peep from Snowflake about this little tidbit, though...
tkmorris
(11,138 posts)4. Unless I am mistaken...
The majority of these ransomware attacks have been traced to Russia and Eastern Europe.
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)5. I use uBlock Origin on Firefox.
I haven't seen an ad in years.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)6. Best thing I ever did was get the paid for version of Malwarebytes
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
Buddy of mine got ransomwared on his tablet. All we did is factory reset it. But yes, be careful guys and gals
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)9. It is said that Linux is a bit safer
but I do use several ad blockers just in case.
thesquanderer
(11,955 posts)8. Still safer on Mac...
only one occurrence of ransomware, and it was enabled through a bittorrent downloader (not something most people use), and it's already been patched.