Cybersecurity researchers from at least two firms today unveiled details of a new strain of malware that targets Windows and macOS systems with a Linux-based cryptocurrency mining malware.
It may sound strange, but it's true.
Dubbed "LoudMiner" and also "Bird Miner," the attack leverages command-line based virtualization software on targeted systems to silently boot an image of Tiny Core Linux OS that already contains a hacker-activated cryptocurrency mining software in it.
Spotted by researchers at
ESET and
Malwarebytes, attackers are distributing this malware bundled with pirated and cracked copies of VST (Virtual Studio Technology) software on the Internet and via Torrent network since August 2018.
This new malware, first detected in August last year, comes in at least 4 different versions and, it can be completely removed only by resetting the operating system.
At the moment it is not known how much damage it has caused or how many Monero have been mined, but it is clear that once again Monero (XMR) remains the preferred cryptocurrency for this type of illegal activity.
For those that runs these cryptominers this was a serious issue for you, imagine this has been running for almost a year now wonder how many users been affected.
