Hackers are infecting gamers’ PCs with malware to make millions from crypto



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  • The so-called “Crackonosh” malware is being hidden in free versions of games like NBA 2K19, Grand Theft Auto V, Far Cry 5, The Sims 4 and Jurassic World Evolution, which are available to download on torrent sites.
  • Once installed, Crackonosh quietly uses the computer’s processing power to mine cryptocurrencies for the hackers.
  • The malware has been used to generate $2 million worth of a cryptocurrency known as monero since at least June 2018, according to Avast.

Cyber criminals are targeting gamers with “mining malware” as they look to get crypto-rich, according to research published by security firm Avast.

The so-called “Crackonosh” malware is being hidden in free versions of games like NBA 2K19, Grand Theft Auto V, Far Cry 5, The Sims 4 and Jurassic World Evolution, which are available to download on torrent sites, Avast said on Thursday.

Once installed, Crackonosh quietly uses the computer’s processing power to mine cryptocurrencies for the hackers. The malware has been used to generate $2 million worth of a cryptocurrency known as monero since at least June 2018, according to Avast.