Some 343 new Android malware samples every hour in 2017
The threat situation has continued to be high in the past year, with over 3 million new Android malware samples discovered. 744,065 of these were discovered in the fourth quarter of 2017. This means that G DATA analysts are counting an average of 8,225 new malware samples for the Android operating…
Lessons Learned from the Most Popular Ransomware Attacks of 2017
In this article, we will look back on how ransomware evolved in 2017 and expose what made it more efficient and effective resulting to greater damage in terms of cost and impact on different industries.
Adverts and browser extensions target users of illegal streaming
Redirecting web traffic has been a lucrative business model for quite a while. This is true for both legal applications as well as cases on the fringes of legality. One of our G DATA researchers has taken a look at a current example: an advertisement banner which specifically targets the users of…
Analysis: Adchiate - Marketing via AutoIT
Stealth is the best camouflage of most modern malware. Unless, that is, you are talking about ransomware - which wants to achieve the exact opposite of stealth. In any other cases, anything that makes a malware stealthy is considered desirable. At G DATA, a researcher came across a sample which…
Fighting virtual fires, Part 2: how to get ready
In our lates blog article we will take a look at very practical aspects of Incident Response and shine a light on some of the details of this complex topic. So, what does Incident Response look like when you're "out there"? Come on in and take a look.
Show me who you call and I tell you what you are - how DGA extraction improves security
Domain Generating Algorithms are not a new thing by any stretch. They are used by malware authors to make their command&control infrastructure more resilient. Security researchers can also use features of those methods to get an edge over the bad guys. Come on in and catch a glimpse into some…
Kudos from a ransomware writer
There is an active group of malware researchers who specialize in analyzing ransomware. G DATA malware researcher Karsten Hahn is a member of this community. Now a malware file has surfaced that is dedicated to him.
Error 404: Online gamers at risk!
For a long time, gaming was just considered “a bit of a laugh” or “something for the kids”. Unsurprisingly, the security aspect did not receive a lot of attention – it just wasn’t seen as a problem or particularly relevant. But today’s gamers are not just two players sitting side by side as a dot…
Warning: Massive "WannaCry" Ransomware campaign launched
An outbreak of the latest version of "WannaCry" has been claiming victims in several countries. The speed and ferocity of the outbreak has taken many by surprise. Researchers are as yet puzzled as to the origin of the outbreak which hit 11 countries within just three hours. So far Spain and Russia…
Wrapping up WannaCry - sort of
After the big infection wave that hit thousands of computers all over the world on Friday, May 12, we are taking a look at some things that WannaCry has taught us and some of the aspects that have surprised many.
Karsten Hahn
Virus Analyst
Tim Berghoff
Security Evangelist
