Cryptocurrency-Mining Malware Spreads Via Facebook Messenger

Security researchers have discovered a cryptocurrency-mining malware called "Digmine" is targeting Facebook Messenger users with the name video_xxxx.zip

Cryptocurrency-Mining Malware Targets Facebook Messenger Users

Hackers are using Facebook Messenger to infect computers with malware that mines cryptocurrency.

The malware, called "Digmine", is hidden as a video file, usually with the name video_xxxx.zip, where the x’s are numeric digits, but is in fact, an executable script.  according to cybersecurity company Trend Micro. It will infect users who open and run the file. The malware installs a malicious Chrome extension that allows it to access an affected user’s Facebook profile and send private messages to all of their contacts with the malware file.

Digimine spreads through an infected file attached to Facebook direct messages. Credit: Trend Micro

"Digmine" is an alternative to bitcoin – It is targeting as many machines as possible, in order to earn bitcoin. It could also help cyber criminals completely take over a Facebook account, the researchers added. This malicious bot only affects users who access it through a desktop version of Chrome. If you open the file through a mobile app, Trend Micro says, it will not infect your device.

Digimine initially targeted users in South Korea, but has spread to countries including Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Venezuela, and is likely to spread elsewhere,Trend Micro says; however, the researchers note that, given malware’s built-in propagation functionality, it’s possible that it’ll spread throughout the world.

Once Digimine download & installs on your computer, it downloads a number of components, including a cryptocurrency miner that will use your device to mine the Monero cryptocurrency.

Trend said,

“The increasing popularity of cryptocurrency mining is drawing attackers back to the mining botnet business,” Trend researchers said in an advisory. “Like many cybercriminal schemes, numbers are crucial – bigger victim pools equate to potentially bigger profits.”

Facebook said,

Digimine had removed the links Digimine was initially used to spread.“We maintain a number of automated systems to help stop harmful links and files from appearing on Facebook and in Messenger,” the company said in a statement, adding it would provide help to users who suspect their systems are infected with malware.

the best way to protect urself from this malware u should maintain privacy settings. 

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