Cryptocurrency mining malware is the number one malware menace - again

[silversurfer]

Cryptocurrency stealing software continues to be the most commonly distributed form of malware, according to a top ten list of the most prominent malware threats detected by security company Check Point.

Coinhive continues to be the most prominently distributed malware and it's followed by XMRig -- both of these cryptojackers secretly use the victim's computer to mine for Monero, with the profits directed into the crypocurrency wallet of the attacker.

They're followed by Jsecoin, a JavaScript miner that can be embedded into websites and runs directly in the browser, then Cryptoloot -- a direct competitor to Coinhive. Cryptoloot was second only to Coinhive during November, but its distribution has now dropped slightly.

Familiar threats like the Emotet and Ramnit banking Trojans make up much of the remainder of the 'Most Wanted' malware list -- but a new entry has rocketed up the rankings into ninth place and marks the first time a second-stage malware downloader has entered the top ten.

Smoke Loader has been active since 2011 and its primary focus is to act as a second-stage downloader for other malware -- mostly in the form of Trojans, such as Trickbot, AZORult Infostealer and Panda Banker.

Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/cryptocurr...ace-again/