Security News > 2022 > September > Researchers Warn of Self-Spreading Malware Targeting Gamers via YouTube

Gamers looking for cheats on YouTube are being targeted with links to malicious password-protected archive files designed to install the RedLine Stealer malware and crypto miners on compromised machines.

"The videos advertise cheats and cracks and provide instructions on hacking popular games and software," Kaspersky security researcher Oleg Kupreev said in a new report published today.

Once a video is successfully uploaded to YouTube, one of the executables in the archive transmits a message to Discord with a link to the uploaded video.

The findings come as the total number of users who encountered gaming-related malware and unwanted software from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022 touched nearly 385,000, with over 91,000 files distributed under the guise of games such as Minecraft, Roblox, Need for Speed, Grand Theft Auto, and Call of Duty.

"Cybercriminals actively hunt for gaming accounts and gaming computer resources," Kupreev said.

"Stealer-type malware is often distributed under the guise of game hacks, cheats and cracks. All this is further proof, if any were needed, that illegal software should be treated with extreme caution."

News URL

https://thehackernews.com/2022/09/researchers-warn-of-self-spreading.html