Crackonosh spreads through cracked versions of popular online games. Avast has discovered that such a cryptominer is being distributed worldwide. This is an additional risk, especially in home office times.
The spread of the malware Crackonosh and its cryptominer (Image: Avast)
A recent study by Avast Threat Labs shows how malware called "Crackonosh" is currently spreading around the world. It is cryptomining malware that cybersecurity experts found in stolen copies of popular games.
Crypto miners in cracked software
The malware has been in circulation since at least June 2018 and has already earned its creators over $ 2.000.000 in the Monero crypto currency from over 222.000 infected systems worldwide. Crackonosh spreads through "cracked" versions of popular online games. Cracked versions are illegal copies of the games that some users download to avoid paying for them.
Avast found Crackonosh in cracked versions of the following games:
- NBA 2K19
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2018
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Fallout 4 GOTY
- Far Cry 5
- The Sims 4
- The Sims 4 Seasons
- Euro Truck Simulator 2
- Jurassic World Evolution
- Call of Cthulhu
- We Happy Few
Avast's cybersecurity experts found most infections in the United States, Brazil, India, the Philippines and Poland. The malware is also spreading in Germany, with Avast having already detected 1.799 cases in this country.
Malware manipulates Windows and security software
Once installed, the malware immediately takes protective measures, including disabling Windows updates and uninstalling security software. The term crackonosh comes from Czech folklore and means "mountain spirit". Avast uses this name to suggest that the malware could have originated in the Czech Republic.
More at Avast.com
About Avast Avast (LSE: AVST), a FTSE 100 company, is a leading global provider of digital security and privacy products. Avast has over 400 million online users and offers products under the Avast and AVG brands that protect people from threats from the Internet and the evolving IoT threat landscape. The company's threat detection network is one of the most advanced in the world, using technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence to detect and stop threats in real time. Avast's digital security products for mobile, PC or Mac have been top-rated and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and other test institutes.