Christmas is Coming: ‘Tis The Season
The festive season brings joy, celebrations, and, unfortunately, cyber threats cleverly disguised under the veil of holiday cheer. In Part 2 of our blog series, we shine a light on the hidden dangers lurking in digital spaces, from malware disguised as innocent elves to holiday themed software that can compromise your data.
In Part 1, we unwrapped the breaches and vulnerabilities that marked the holiday season. Now, let’s dive deeper into the role of malware during Christmas. And stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll reveal how hackers exploit holiday gift giving trends to orchestrate attacks.
A STORY ABOUT AN ELF
The Christmas season often brings stories of elves working tirelessly to spread joy. But in the digital world, there’s a far more sinister “elf” at work, one that wreaks havoc instead of delivering happiness. Enter the ELF malware, a technological nightmare wrapped in code.
In computing, the Executable and Linkable Format (ELF) serves as a standard file format for executables, shared libraries, and core dumps. While it’s a critical part of the software ecosystem, it has also become a vehicle for cybercriminal activities. Among the most notorious examples of ELF-based attacks is the Mirai botnet.
Mirai, named after the Japanese word for “future” (未来), transforms Linux based devices into remotely controlled bots, enabling large scale network attacks. First appearing in 2016, this malware targets consumer devices such as IP cameras, home routers, and other Internet of Things (IoT) products. During the holiday season, when connected devices are gifted and deployed en masse, the threat grows exponentially.
Using weak or default passwords, Mirai infiltrates devices and enlists them in its botnet army. Once under control, these devices can be used to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks that overwhelm websites, disrupt services, and even take down entire networks.
The Mirai dashboard, as showcased by Fox_Threat intel, reveals the simple yet powerful interface used to orchestrate attacks. With such tools in the hands of malicious actors, organizations must stay vigilant, especially during the holidays when consumer devices are heavily targeted.
SPECIAL DELIVERY FROM SANTA
Not all gifts under the tree are delightful surprises. During the holidays, cybercriminals disguise malicious software as festive downloads to catch unsuspecting victims off guard.
One such “gift” was Santa Countdown, a holiday themed application that promised to add festive fun but instead installed malware. Users who downloaded the software unknowingly exposed their systems to unauthorized access and data theft. It’s a sobering reminder that even harmless looking programs can be wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Key Lessons:
- Stick to official platforms for downloads.
- Use antivirus software to scan festive themed applications for malware.
- If a holiday themed app requests access to sensitive data or system functions, consider it a red flag.
A CHRISTMAS TREE MALWARE
What’s more festive than a Christmas tree? Unfortunately, in the cyber world, “Christmas tree” also refers to malicious software that thrives on holiday goodwill.
A holiday themed game called Santa Ski Jump tricked users into downloading malware disguised as a harmless pastime. But while users were helping Santa collect stars, the malware was silently working in the background, compromising systems, stealing sensitive data, and creating backdoors for future attacks.
Adding a nostalgic twist to holiday chaos, Bonzi Buddy, a program infamous for its spyware capabilities, resurfaced with a Christmas makeover. Festive themed ads and downloads lured users into reliving the past, only to compromise their systems once again.
How to Stay Safe:
- Stick to reputable websites and official stores for games or holiday themed software.
- Always scan files for malware before opening them, even if they seem harmless.
- Share cybersecurity tips with loved ones, as children and less tech savvy individuals are common targets.
This holiday season, let the Christmas tree light up your living room, not your computer with malware.
WHAT’S NEXT?
As we conclude Part 2, it’s clear that cybercriminals are adept at turning holiday cheer into a vector for attacks. From malware laden downloads to compromised IoT devices, vigilance is critical. In the final part of our series, we’ll explore how hackers exploit gift giving trends and phishing campaigns during Christmas. Stay tuned as we wrap up the series with more insights and tips to protect yourself this holiday season.
The post Christmas is Coming: ‘Tis The Season appeared first on VERITI.
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from VERITI authored by Veriti Research. Read the original post at: https://veriti.ai/blog/christmas-is-coming-tis-the-season/
