Malware can be very varied and come from many different sources. In this article, we are going to report on a malicious software that is being distributed when watching movies online. Specifically, pirated versions that you can find on different pages or platforms. We are going to explain what it is and what you should do to be protected against this specific problem, but also against other similar threats that may exist.
This malware affects the computer. It runs and, from that moment on, it starts to act. It can seriously compromise security and privacy, so measures must be taken to avoid it. We have seen on occasion that pirated content is often used by cybercriminals to achieve their objectives.
Malware via pirated movies
This threat has been dubbed Peaklight. It is actually an application that acts as a program for downloading fake movies. The software itself is not malicious, but the processes it installs are. This is what actually causes problems on the computer. It directly targets users who are looking to download pirated movies from the Internet.
When the victim installs this malware, it loads an LNK file that has an icon that looks like a movie file. The hackers have previously programmed this file to open PowerShell and download Peaklight, which is the ultimate goal.
But how does this attack start? The victim searches for a supposedly pirated movie that interests him. He goes to a website and starts downloading a ZIP file, and inside it is the LNK file we mentioned. He thinks he has actually downloaded the movie and opens that file. This is what runs everything.
Once the malicious payloads have been installed, the malware can take action. It will hide itself, so that you cannot easily find it. From there, it starts stealing all kinds of information and putting the victim’s privacy at risk, without them realizing this problem. Of course, what they will see is that they have not downloaded any movies.
Protect yourself
To protect yourself from this problem, it’s as simple as not downloading pirated content. Never trust strange websites that invite you to download a file that supposedly contains the movie, program or whatever you’re looking for. It could be a trap and, as you can see, have malware ready to infect your computer. Checking whether a website is reliable is essential.
It is essential that you install a good antivirus. This will help you detect possible threats and reduce the risk of your computer getting a virus. There are many options, but we always recommend installing one that is reliable. You can find out beforehand and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Additionally, keeping your system up to date can be a great help. In many cases, hackers will take advantage of vulnerabilities that may exist in your system, such as Windows. Having the latest versions will help you reduce risks and avoid being a victim of all kinds of attacks.
In short, be careful when downloading movies from the Internet. You could be downloading a file that actually contains malware. It is essential that you take preventive measures to avoid falling victim to attacks of this type.
