certificate researcher have let out a cryptocurrency - mining malware targeting Facebook Messenger users .
The malware , called Digmine , is disguised as a video file , usually with the name video_xxxx.zip , accord tocybersecurity company Trend Micro . It will infect users who try and incline the file . The malware installs a malicious Chrome telephone extension that allow it to access an stirred substance abuser ’s Facebook profile and send individual message to all of their contacts with the malware file .
The malicious bot only affect users who access it through a background reading of Chrome . If you open up the file cabinet through a peregrine app , Trend Micro enounce , it will not infect your gimmick .
Digmine has been spotted in South Korea , Vietnam , Azerbaijan , Ukraine , Vietnam , Philippines , Thailand , and Venezuela , Trend Micro says ; however , the researchers remark that , given malware ’s built - in propagation functionality , it ’s potential that it ’ll spread elsewhere .
Once Digimine install on your machine , it download a number of components , including a cryptocurrency miner that will use your machine to mine the Monero cryptocurrency .
Facebook told Trend Micro it had taken down any links connected to the malware from the social networking situation , butas bleep Computer pointed out , the hackers are able to both alter the current liaison to go on targeting users on the platform and , by adding more code , tally extra use to the malware that could allow for it to pirate a user ’s account or otherwise manipulate an history , according to Trend Micro .
We have gain out to Facebook for commentary and will update this article with its reaction . In a instruction to Trend Micro , Facebook said , “ We maintain a telephone number of automated systems to help stop harmful link and files from appear on Facebook and in Messenger , ” Facebook said in a statement . “ If we surmise your computer is infected with malware , we will provide you with a free anti - virus scan from our trusted partners . ”
In case you ’re unexampled to this whole malware thing , you should always err on the side of caution when you welcome links , even if they are from someone you know . While this case of malware is n’t new — cryptocurrency mininghas been around for years — it is seeing a new surge of attention as the cryptocurrency market explode . With ballyhoo do hacks .
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