Check Point, a cyber-security company with the industry’s highest catch rate, has recently detected a new penetration method for malware: image files.
Ability to Spread Quickly:
Going by the name of ‘ImageGate’; social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn can be attributed to spreading this virus, as images with the malicious code are easily shared.
The designers of the virus have found an exploit in the social media infrastructure allowing them to force the download of an image.
Protect Yourself by Being Careful:
However, if look at the image below from Check Point’s video, you’re given the option to ‘Cancel’ and to ‘Save File’:
If you notice this box pop up, and you didn’t prompt the download: Cancel it. The best way to stay safe from this type of malware is to pay attention to detail. When you see a dialogue window like this, read the details available or even Google the filename. Just make sure not to install on auto-pilot.
Additionally, if you see a download ending in strange extensions .hta, .bat, .vbs, or .svg; do not download them. Images in most cases shouldn’t ask you to download an image file.
As seen recently in the news, Ransomware can affect anyone:
A. You cannot access your files without providing payment
B. If you don’t pay, your files will be locked forever or wiped.