Fake Flash Updates are Hiding Cryptocurrency Mining Malware

It has been discovered that fake Adobe Flash updates are being used to surreptitiously install cryptocurrency mining malware on computers and networks, creating severe losses in time, system performance, and power consumption for affected users.

Cryptojacking Breaks New Ground

While fake Flash updates that push malware have traditionally been easy to spot and avoid, a new campaign has employed new tricks that stealthily download cryptocurrency miners on Windows systems.

Writing in a post exposing the scheme, Unit 42 threat intelligence analyst Brad Duncan said:

“As early as August 2018, some samples impersonating Flash updates have borrowed pop-up notifications from the official Adobe installer. These fake Flash updates install unwanted programs like an XMRig cryptocurrency miner, but this malware can also update a victim’s Flash Player to the latest version.”

The implication of this unpleasant scenario is that a potential victim may not notice anything out of the…