Illegal movie sites are not the best places to visit on the internet. The fact that they are illegal speaks for itself. While the legal ramifications of pirating content are a big concern, there is also the risk of being infected with malware. And malware is not just any malware. Security researchers have identified Peaklight, a strain of malware that targets illegal movie downloaders, which they have classified as next-generation malware.
Its ultimate goal is to infect Windows systems with information stealers and loaders. Below we provide more information about Peaklight and some tips on how to stay protected.
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A person trying to watch a movie on a laptop (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
What is Peak Light?
Peaklight is a new type of malware that operates only in a computer’s memory and leaves no traces on the hard drive. According to Google-owned cybersecurity firm Mandiant, Peaklight is designed to covertly download other malicious software.
“This memory-only dropper decrypts and executes a PowerShell-based downloader,” Mandiant said. “The PowerShell-based downloader is tracked as PEAKLIGHT.”
Mandiant explains that Peaklight uses hidden PowerShell scripts to download more malware. Dangerous programs spread this way include Lumma Stealer, Hijack Loader and CryptBot, which are sold as a service-for-hire by hackers to steal information and take control of computers.
Woman watching a movie on a laptop (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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How does it infect computers?
The attack often begins when someone downloads a Windows shortcut file (LNK) while searching for a pirated movie. These files are hidden inside a ZIP folder disguised as a movie download.
When the LNK file is opened, it connects to a content delivery network (CDN) that hides malicious JavaScript code that runs only in the computer’s memory. This code then runs a PowerShell script called PEAKLIGHT, which connects to a remote server and downloads more malicious software.
Peaklight is designed to run entirely within your computer’s memory, making it extremely difficult for antivirus software to detect – it leaves no traces in storage, so antivirus software must scan memory (RAM) to detect it.
“PEAKLIGHT is an obfuscated PowerShell-based downloader that is part of a multi-stage execution chain that checks for the presence of a ZIP archive in a hardcoded file path,” Mandiant researchers Aaron Lee and Praveeth D’Souza said.
“If the archive does not exist, the downloader will contact the CDN site and download the remotely hosted archive file and save it to disk.”
Illustration of a scammer using malware (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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6 ways to protect yourself from malware
1) Avoid downloading pirated content: Use only legal platforms for movies, music and software. Pirate sites pose a high risk as they often disguise malware as legitimate content. Even searching for movies on a search engine can lead to dangerous sites that trigger drive-by downloads.
2) Keep your operating system and software up to date: Regularly update your Windows OS, antivirus software, browsers, and other applications. Security patches are released to fix vulnerabilities that malware like Peaklight can exploit. Enabling automatic updates is the best way to stay ahead of these threats.
3) Use a strong antivirus software: A strong antivirus program is your first line of defense. Choose one with real-time scanning, memory scanning and behavioral analysis capabilities. Many modern antiviruses not only scan files but also your computer’s memory (RAM) where Peaklight hides.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that can install malware and access your personal information is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection will also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. We’ve handpicked the winners of the best antivirus protection of 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
4) Be wary of suspicious links and files. Never click on unknown links, especially if they offer free movies, games, or other enticing content. Similarly, never download files from untrusted websites, even if they look like innocent-looking ZIP folders.
5) Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication: Protect your online accounts by using strong, unique passwords for each account and enabling two-factor authentication. This ensures that even if infothieves or other malware try to steal your login data, they can’t access your accounts without an extra verification step. You can also use a password manager to securely generate and store your passwords.
6) Beware of Compressed Files (ZIP, RAR): Compressed files are a common way to hide malware. Even if they look like pirated movies, they could contain LNK files or other malicious scripts. Be sure to scan these files with your antivirus software before opening them.
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Important points about the cart
The idea of ​​pirating content is appealing. With so many streaming services and subscriptions available, it’s impossible to have access to them all, so pirating seems like an option worth considering. But you’re better off paying or watching something else. You don’t want to risk infecting your computer with malware and losing money or personal data.
Have you ever been tempted to use illegal streaming or download sites? What stopped you (or didn’t)? Contact us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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