Hackers infect gamer’s computers with Crackonosh malware to turn crypto into millions

Malware called “Crackonosh” is hidden in free versions of games such as NBA 2K19, Grand Theft Auto V, Far Cry 5, The Sims 4 and Jurassic World Evolution, which can be downloaded from torrent sites.

Once installed, Crackonosh secretly uses the computing power of computers to find cryptocurrencies for hackers.

The malware has been using since at least June 2018. According to Avast, to generate a $2 million crypto currency called Moreno. According to a study published by security firm Avast, cybercriminals are targeting players, who are trying to get rich in crypto with “malware extraction”.

The malware called “Crackonosh” is hidden in free versions of games such as NBA 2K19, Grand Theft Auto V, Far Cry 5, The Sims 4 and Jurassic World Evolution and available for download on torrent websites, said Avast Thursday. .

Once installed, Crackonosh secretly uses the computing power of computers to find cryptocurrencies for hackers. The malware has been using since at least June 2018. According to Avast, to generate a $2 million cryptocurrency called Moreno.

Avast researcher Daniel Benes told CNBC that infected users may see their computers slow down or deteriorate from overuse. But their utility bills may also be higher than usual.

“All the sources, your computer will be at his disposal, it is essential to not react to,” he said.

According to Benes, around 220,000 users worldwide and 800 devices are infecting every day. However, Avast only detects malware on devices that have antivirus software installed, so the actual number may be much higher. Brazil, India and the Philippines are among the hardest-hit countries, but the United States has also seen many cases.

What Researchers said about Crackonosh Malware?

Researchers say Crackonosh takes several steps to protect itself once installed, including disabling Windows updates and uninstalling security software.

Regarding the origin of the malware, Avast believes the creators may be Czech – Crackonosh means “spirit of the mountain” in Czech folklore.

Avast discovered the malware after customers reported that the company’s antivirus was missing on their systems and cited examples of user posts on Reddit. The company said it was investigating the report and others like it.

“In summary, Crackonosh to appreciate the risk, the downloading of the stolen software. And that it is very useful for the invaders,” Benes wrote. “As long as people continue to download broken software, attacks like this will continue to benefit attackers,” Benes added. ” The trick to this is that you don’t really get something for free. And if you’re trying to steal the software, it is likely that someone is trying to steal it from you.”

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