Malware Masquerades As Fake Game Crack

[vansau]

Malware Masquerades As Fake Game Crack

Pirates beware: A nasty piece of malware is currently being disguised as a keygen crack for a PC game.

You may want to think twice before you pirate your next PC game, because it turns out that a cracked code being distributed actually contains a rootkit that could do some serious damage to your computer. Malware research group GFI Software, has just revealed that it's discovered such a case, and the fake cracking software houses a pretty nasty program.

On the GFI Labs blog, the company explained that one of its researchers came across a YouTube account that contained a MediaFire link which - in turn - would supposedly provide users with a crack code for Pro Evolution Soccer 2012. However, it turns out this isn't really the case:

Users visiting the page can readily download and extract the compressed file Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 Keygen. In it are three files: an HTML file, a text file, and another compressed file, which contains the key generator application. The text file doesn't actually contain the password it claims to have. Instead, it contains a shortened URL users must visit to get the password from.

http://tinyurl(dot)com/64ad4m is actually http://lnkgt(dot)com/7RM, a survey page that users must answer before their password is given to them.

Unfortunately, after users fill in the survey, gets the password to be used to run the keygen, they inevitably end up installing malware on their systems. Not just any malware; it's a rootkit: ZeroAccess, a sophisticated rootkit known for overwriting critical OS files.

According to GFI, most antivirus groups are aware of ZeroAccess and their software will likely be able detect it. Still, let's be honest about something here, folks: Putting your computer at risk just so you can save a couple of bucks on a game is a dumb idea. If you really want to play Pro Evolution Soccer 2012, just buy it and keep your OS files safe.

Source: <a href=http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/bogus-video-game-crack-leads-to-rootkit.html>GFI Blog via <a href=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/244395/scitech/gaming/video-game-crack-code-hides-rootkit-malware?ref=latest>GMA Network

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[OniaPL]

People still download keygens?

 

[MrBrightside919]

Karma is a ***** sometimes...

Spoiler

 

[TheRealGoochman]

I say sprinkle these files in all pirating sites, one here and there.

While I HATE people who make these things, I can't say those who get it don't deserve it. You pirate you get a bug. You support the industry you get a game

 

[RA92]

Ummm, I thought malware-disguised-as-cracked-games is a pretty common trope?

 

[Space Jawa]

I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often across all media. Or at least that it doesn't get reported on more often. You'd think that sneaking bugs and virus and malware into bootleg downloads would be one of the easier ways to get them on to people's computers, what with as eager as some people are to get their digital stuff illegally.

 

[robert022614]

moral of the story. Watch what your friend does if he wants to "use" your computer for a sec because (insert reason he cant use his here)

 

[chaosyoshimage]

I wonder if these guys think they're Batman...

 

[gabycms]

Why the hell is this even news, stuff like this has been happening for like forever. It really does come with the territory. And please: "Putting your computer at risk" risk of what? spending 1h re-installing your OS, big deal.
If anyone thinks that the prospect of a clean install of a cracked copy of windows is frighting to someone that usually pirates other programs, they clearly have no idea of the mindset and actuality of a software pirate.

 

[CrashZxS]

this is news?....

well...
for one, key-gens themselves are a virus detected by most antivirus software because of how they work

second, if you download one of these things from anywhere other than a "reputable" (I use that term loosely) bit-torrent site with half decent people, its almost guaranteed to be a virus

third, its a soccer game, wtf..., why in the hell would you pirate that, it would totally remove any multiplayer content cause generated keys would conflict with real ones

forth, this happens all the time, quite literally...

 

[RA92]

third, its a soccer game, wtf..., why in the hell would you pirate that, it would totally remove any multiplayer content cause generated keys would conflict with real ones

Dude, Modern Warfare 3 was the second-most pirated game on the PC last year. -_-

Appears at least some people care about its SP. Hah.

 

[SovietSecrets]

Remember kids, if you're gonna pirate at least do it safely!

 

[LilithSlave]

This is an all too common and nasty thing people spend their time doing. I'll never understand the idea of trolling or making viruses or the like.

Anyway, it means that if you download things like keygen, or copyright infringing material in general, heck, if you even download legal things off the internet, you should be very careful. Back up your files, use Linux, take safety measures.

Just as big companies want to empty your pockets for things you don't even like, and people in your neighborhood want to break into your house, and internet trolls want to destroy your favourite websites and your computer, you have to be able to protect yourself against this. Computer smart. Don't spend too much on hardware or software. And educate yourself.

If you're a pirate, you likely already know that searching and learning saves you money. This is true for all of computing. Using a computer is a constant necessity of discovery and creating bases, backups, and something to be formidable in.

Most Malware isn't too crazy and doesn't do anything like corrupt BIOS in your motherboard. So a few backups are usually all that is necessary, but again, it's best to have as many precautions when using the internet, infringing copyrights, or not, as possible. For instance, it's pretty well stupid to go on the internet without something that can prevent malicious scripts, really, you should only allow scripts on sites you absolutely trust. You should regularly use things like Avast Antivirus, Malwarebytes, Hijackthis, and the like. Things like TrueCrypt aren't just for people engaging in illegal activities. They're a tiny wall, but a wall nonetheless, between your information and getting corrupted. It's not actually that bad of an idea for the end user to invest in a RAID. It is a very good idea to dual boot, and to use Linux when one isn't gaming. Be sure to own a copy of Windows and keep your OS backed up multiple times. You can set restore points and all sorts of backups very easily. And the fairly obvious, don't download and go to sites that are obviously untrustworthy. This means any site that has too much ugly advertising of a suspicious variety. Also, if you can afford it, it's really good to have your main OS drive as a dual boot with Windows 7(or upcoming 8 or ect. future) and Linux of some sort on an SSD, while all of your data that is too big for the OS drive on a RAID array in containers of some sort. Something that makes it a little less easy to access for the few viruses that target things other than Windows OS files.

 

[Valanthe]

Umm, Doctor, I think there's something wrong in the coaxial time relay matrix, you seem to have dropped us in the mid 90's...


Translation: Slow news day much? I am fairly certain that if you -don't- know about this sort of thing by now, and are using a computer, you are -way- out of your element...

 

[Vakz]

This isn't really news.. using cracks to spread malware is one of the most popular ways to do it. It can also be added that cracking doesn't mean you're a pirate. I have cracked most of my games. Having to have the DVD in the tray is just annoying. There are also games like Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory that have such shitty DRM, I can't even get it running on Windows 7 without cracking it.

 

[Dr. Pepper Unlimited]

I'm pretty sure this is a pretty common thing when pirating software and games. People hide all kinds of nasty things on those files.

 

[zephyron]

Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm going to have to agree with many of the people above me. I wish Escapist would do fewer "news reports" like this. This is like saying "Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Scientists discover drinking water makes you hydrated!" If you're going to publish this as news, you should at least be consistent and make a separate article for every AAA PC game made in the last 20 years.

 

[PingoBlack]

Oh come on!
Such a silly way to disguise self promotion.
Keygens and crack executables are the most common source of root-kit installation for like LAST 5 YEARS!

Hope you got money from Sunbelt for this add, because you can't consider this as news.