This malware is attacking Latin American users and companies more

The Emotet malicious program has become a veritable market of services for criminals in Latin America and, in particular, companies and users in Brazil and Mexico are among the most affected, experts warn.

This program uses a “bonet” (network of infected computers that allows access to information and remote control of the affected device) to sell malicious services to criminals, according to the latest analysis by the cybersecurity company Kaspersky in Latin America.

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The groups that use this “malware” target Internet users, companies and governments to get hold of email accounts (especially passwords stored on computers) and credit cards for later sale.

“They even -according to the study- provide access to compromised computers and servers so that ransomware groups (a malicious program that takes control of the system it infects) carry out their attacks”.

According to the global study, in just one month, from February to March, the victims of this situation tripled, as well as the blockades, and within Latin America the most affected are Mexico (second position of the total) and Brazil (fourth ).

Much further behind are Colombia (place 35), Chile (40), Paraguay (48), Ecuador (50), Uruguay (54), Argentina (62), Peru (66) and Cuba (75).

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Emotet infections are caused by email campaigns (spam) that open a back door and perform malicious tasks such as stealing email account credentials, passwords stored on computers and credit cards, along with creating profiles of the affected machines.

Another study by the same cybersecurity firm indicates that 67% of Latin Americans are concerned about their online security and 35% acknowledge not knowing how the collection of their data works in the digital environment.

Source: Elcomercio

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