“Digital zombies”: Belgorod explained who and why hacks thousands of ordinary gadgets
The question was answered by the authors of the project “Chicken CIB”
A botnet is much more dangerous than conventional malware. It’s not just one virus on one computer or phone. This is a network of infected devices in the hands of a hacker that resembles a time bomb. The attacker has been controlling them for a long time, and for users everything looks like nothing happened. Why would anyone want other people’s electronics?
A little bit about goals
Thousands of devices are enormous computing power. It is used for DDoS attacks, sending multiple requests simultaneously to bring down the site. Your device can work for someone else’s finances: it wears out and consumes your electricity, mining cryptocurrency for someone else’s wallet. Sometimes third-party devices are used for spam and phishing: scammers use “clean” IP addresses, sending fraudulent emails allegedly from real people.
How do people accidentally give their technique to criminals?
There are four main ways: weak passwords, clicking on malicious links or opening infected applications, an outdated operating system, and programs from unverified sites. As a rule, the desire to download something for free through the network leads to the appearance of viruses on the device.
What should I pay attention to?
The “alarm bell” can be considered a sharp slowdown of the device or its frequent hanging. Another cause for concern is overheating and noise, even when the laptop is not working, but simply is on. Pay attention to suspicious traffic and how quickly the battery began to drain. And in order not to become part of the network of “digital zombies”, experts recommend updating passwords, applications and using antivirus.
More information in the material of the project “Chicken CIB”.
Earlier, “MK in Belgorod” told how a resident of Belgorod lost money after online hairstyle selection.
