"🎨 Graphic Designers, Beware! GPU Miners Are on the Prowl 🖥️💰"
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting graphic designers by exploiting their high-performance GPUs for cryptocurrency mining. These malicious actors deploy GPU miners to harness the computational power of graphic designers' machines, leading to potential slowdowns, increased electricity bills, and hardware wear and tear. It's crucial for professionals in the design industry to remain vigilant and ensure the security of their systems.
Cybercriminals are exploiting Advanced Installer, a legitimate Windows tool, to introduce cryptocurrency-mining malware into systems. Since November 2021, attackers have been bundling legitimate software installers, such as Adobe Illustrator and Autodesk 3ds Max, with malicious scripts using Advanced Installer's features. These software installers, primarily in French, serve industries like architecture, engineering, and entertainment in French-speaking countries. The malware payloads include M3_Mini_Rat, which establishes a backdoor, and cryptocurrency-mining malware like PhoenixMiner and lolMiner. These criminals target these software types due to their high GPU requirements, essential for cryptocurrency mining. Most of the attacks are directed at users in France and Switzerland, but instances have occurred in other countries, including the U.S., Canada, and Germany.
#CyberSecurity #GPUmining #GraphicDesign #CryptoMining
Source: Talos Intelligence Blog