A new hacking campaign is underway, and security firm, eSentire is warning users about it. According to the firm, this hack exploits job seekers to break into company networks. The hacker group known as Golden Chickens is behind this scheme and is carrying out this attack. They send fake job offers to specific people using the information they have provided on their LinkedIn profile.
For example, an associate professor or assistant professor might receive a zip file named "Professor Position." It's an attractive offer, but the zip file contains the more_eggs trojan. Once a target falls for the bait and opens the zip file, it automatically installs the more_eggs trojan on their PC.
With this Trojan, the hacker will have full access to the user's PC. It can even download more extensions and plugins. Also, this Trojan is stealthy and works fine on Windows.
Golden Chickens works for financial gain
In fact, Golden Chickens hack is purely for financial gain. They sell their hacks as malware-as-a-service to anyone who wants them. According to Rob McLeod, senior director of eSentire's Threat Response Team (TRU), this type of phishing will be very effective now given the current economic climate.
In a statement, Microsoft, which owns LinkedIn, said:
Мільйони людей використовують LinkedIn для пошуку та подання заявок на роботу щодня – а під час пошуку роботи безпека означає знати, що рекрутер, з яким ви спілкуєтесь, є тим, ким він здається, що робота, якою ви захоплені, справжня, а не шахрайство. Ми забороняємо шахрайські дії на LinkedIn. Ми використовуємо автоматичний і ручний захист для виявлення та вирішення підроблених рахунків або шахрайських платежів. Будь-які облікові записи чи посади, які порушують нашу політику, заблоковані на сайті.
To that end, no matter how enticing a cover letter is, PC users should be careful about whatever file they open. To read the full eSentire report, click here.
In our modern world, hacking is quite common. Both the company and the users should be very careful. A recent report reveals that the personal information of at least 530 million Facebook users has been leaked online. This information includes full name, phone number, location and other details. Interestingly, the hackers did it for free.
