YouTubers Duped: Bogus Copyright Claims Turn Videos into Malware Traps!
Cybercriminals have a new hobby: sending fake copyright claims to YouTubers. Their goal? To sneak malware and cryptominers into videos. Creators, fearing YouTube’s three-strike policy, comply and unwittingly promote trojanized Windows Packet Divert tools. The result? Thousands of users in Russia end up mining cryptocurrencies instead of bypassing censorship.
Hot Take:
It’s a tale as old as time: cybercriminals, YouTube, and a dash of drama. Who knew copyright claims could be the gateway to a digital gold rush? It seems like the new way to mine cryptocurrency isn’t with shovels and picks, but with a copyright claim and a YouTube link. Move over, copyright trolls! There’s a new villain in town, and they’re slinging malware faster than you can say “demonetized.”
Key Points:
- Cybercriminals use bogus copyright claims to manipulate YouTubers into distributing malware.
- The scam targets creators who produce tutorials on bypassing censorship using Windows Packet Divert (WPD) tools.
- Threat actors masquerade as tool developers, pressuring creators to add malware-laced links to their content.
- The malware campaign primarily affects Russian users but has potential for broader impact.
- Kaspersky reports over 2,000 victims and warns of the risk of expanded operations.