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The global trend of global cryptocurrency malware will not be over soon. A newly discovered malware block specifically targets Linux and IoT devices. This is a different approach as most of these attacks focus on Windows devices. Researchers are worried that this new extraction software will make the cryptography process even more complicated. Known as Linux Rabbit, this software kit packs a nice punch.
Linux Rabbit is a big problem
Unlike the name suggests, there is nothing fluffy in Linux Rabbit. It is a new type of malware recently discovered by security researchers. Its main purpose is to influence Linux servers and Internet of Things devices. The main objective of this new malware is to infect devices with cryptocurrency mining software to extract Monero.
Interestingly, this malware is quite versatile. It will not be based on just one type of Monero mining tool. Not so long ago, researchers have noticed that cryptojacking is slowly moving from the screenplay of CoinHive. Instead, new tools are used and distributed on a very large scale. It seems that Linux Rabbit follows a very similar approach. It will install a cryptocurrency miner based on the device infrastructure. In this way, criminals will try to increase their chances of success.
The main problem is determining the exact attack vector to distribute this malware. So far, no official "cause" has been identified by researchers. It appears that the attacks are limited to specific countries at this time. Even so, this does not mean that there will never be a global epidemic. Linux Rabbit also relies on Tor to connect with its command-and-control server. This makes it more difficult to trace the server's host and close it accordingly.
Cryptojacking remains a big problem
Linux Rabbit is just the latest type of malware intent on delving cryptocurrencies. The general trend has been very problematic for several months. It seems that criminals continue to explore hand-encryption opportunities whenever they can. Despite the decline in cryptocurrency prices, these efforts continue to pose major problems worldwide.
Given that this type of malware is difficult to intercept, it remains to be seen how successful Linux Rabbit will be. Linux is not the most popular operating system in the world. It is often used on VPS platforms and corporate servers. This alone is a big problem because it is possible to stop entire networks when these servers are affected. The devices of the Internet of Things, on the other hand, are much more commonly used by consumers.
This latest development paints a very sad picture. Consumers and companies will have to take device security much more seriously. This is especially true when it comes to internet-connected machines. Cryptojacking is a very serious threat that will not disappear soon. Instead, it appears that this threat becomes more widespread despite the best efforts of security researchers.
What do you think of this new malware threat? Let us know in the comments below.
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