One of the recent examples of malware threats is called PlayfulGhost, and it worried both professionals and ordinary users. First mentioned on January 6th, new features of threats associated with widely used VPN applications and dangers that may threaten users when they try to find VPN applications in Google are disclosed.
About the Capabilities of Malware and How It Spreads
PlayfulGhost works as a backdoor that allows the attackers to invoke powerful functions such as keylogging, screen and audio capture, executing remote shell commands, file transfer, file execution, etc. Its distribution is done through SEO poisoning techniques, where the malware is attached to common VPNs and other software. These malware bundles are easily found in the search engine results and end up downloading a contaminated program.
PlayfulGhost has evolved from Gh0st, a remote access trojan that was first seen in late 2008. Although there has been much written about Gh0st in cybersecurity forums, PlayfulGhost is a new and more sinister version, which has to be treated as a serious threat both to users and cybersecurity experts.
The Threat of Google: The Measures Adopted by Google
Google’s managed defense team has responded to this by doing a technical write-up on their part known as PlayfulGhost. This is under its “Finding Malware” blog series, which seeks to equip security operation teams with rich threat intelligence. Google’s decision to share information on the latest detection and prevention of malware will close the existing knowledge gap that cyber threats have been successfully exploiting to perpetrate their actions.
Implications for Users
Perhaps, for the ordinary user, the technicality of these reports might be hard to comprehend. But the most important point is to try to download applications only from trustworthy sources. Do not open links that are too enticing to be true and, instead, turn to websites or app stores for more credible software downloads.
But until PlayfulGhost moves on to other tools, like VPNs, it needs to remain a focus to avoid being used as part of a command-and-control operation. To avoid such programs, one has to ensure that software is updated from time to time, install good antivirus programs, and avoid visiting unknown sites. Get updated and protect against threats to your computers and information.
