Hackers target blockchain users

Mackenzie Garrity -

A piece of malware has been alerted to infiltrate a blockchain system and give the hacker the ability to remotely control the user's computer, according to Decrypt.

Cybersecurity firm TrendMicro said malware Glupteba now uses the Bitcoin blockchain platform to pass through existing anti-virus software.

Glupteba, which was first discovered in 2011, is used to hijack a computer to steal information or carry out denial of service attacks. The malware hides in advertisements or links that users unsuspiciously click on. Once the user clicks on the affected link, the hacker gets access to the person's computer.

However, some anti-virus software has been able to stop Glupteba from spreading through a person's computer.

Now, hackers who use Glupteba are making Bitcoin transactions with a piece of hidden encoded data, TrendMicro reports. Within the encoded messages contains the address for the server. The malware then simply has to scan the blockchain, identify the transaction and decode the hidden message.

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.