blackshades remote access tool rat

Blackshades malware is referred to as a remote access tool (RAT), meaning it allows the hacker to gain full access to your machine as if he were sitting right in front of it. The technology behind this threat is similar to that used by the IT department at your office.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to buy Blackshades software?

This spying software could be purchased online for as little as $40 U.S.D. Blackshades malware is referred to as a remote access tool (RAT), meaning it allows the hacker to gain full access to your machine as if he were sitting right in front of it.

What is Blackshades malware?

Blackshades is a malicious trojan horse used by hackers to control infected computers remotely. The malware targets computers using operating systems based on Microsoft Windows. According to US officials, over 500,000 computer systems have been infected worldwide with the software.

What is Blackshades?

For the video game, see Black Shades. Blackshades is a malicious trojan horse used by hackers to control infected computers remotely. The malware targets computers using operating systems based on Microsoft Windows.

How do I get rid of the Blackshades virus?

Many antivirus programs can successfully detect and remove Blackshades, however hackers using the Blackshades software usually avoid detection of Blackshades infections by using software that obfuscates the Blackshades binary to avoid detection by antivirus programs, which the Blackshades organization also sold along with the Blackshades software.

Is Blackshades a virus?

Blackshades is a malicious trojan horse used by hackers to control infected computers remotely. The malware targets computers using operating systems based on Microsoft Windows. According to US officials, over 500,000 computer systems have been infected worldwide with the software.

How Blackshades works?

The Blackshades Remote Access Tool, or RAT, which targets Microsoft Windows-based operating systems, allows cybercriminals to take control of your computer. Once inside, they can spy on you through your web camera, steal your files and account information and see what you are typing.

Can ESET detect RAT?

Note that ESET products detect SpyEye as Win32/Spy. SpyEye and Dark Comet RAT as Win32/Fynloski. If you think your Windows computer is infected with either of these pieces of malware or any other malicious code or spyware you might want to scan it with ESET's Free Online Scanner.

What is Blackshades net?

BlackShades Net is a RAT that has been around for a few years. It has been the source of a few arrests, including the co-author in 2012. It was developed as for sale malware, sometimes poorly masquerading as legitimate remote administration software.

What is Nanocore rat?

Nanocore RAT Propose Change Nanocore is a Remote Access Tool used to steal credentials and to spy on cameras. It as been used for a while by numerous criminal actors as well as by nation state threat actors.

Can ESET detect Trojans?

ESET protects you against Trojans.

Will ESET remove malware?

The ESET Online Scanner runs from your web browser, checks for and (optionally) removes malware. You can't configure it, and it can't prevent your computer from being infected by malware.

What is RAT in cyber security?

Remote access trojans (RATs) are malware designed to allow an attacker to remotely control an infected computer. Once the RAT is running on a compromised system, the attacker can send commands to it and receive data back in response.

Which connection is most commonly used in RATs?

RAT infections are typically carried out via spear phishing and social engineering attacks. Most are hidden inside heavily packed binaries that are dropped in the later stages of the malware's payload execution.

What is smart RAT switch?

RAT infected Android devices can be remotely zombified by the perpetrator, allowing virtually unlimited access to photos, data and messages on the device. The Dendroid RAT provides full access to infected devices' camera and microphone, and can place calls or listen in on a user's phone conversations or text messages.

How do scientists use RATs?

The laboratory rat has made invaluable contributions to cardiovascular medicine, neural regeneration, wound healing, diabetes, transplantation, behavioural studies and space motion sickness research. Rats have also been widely used to test drug efficacy and safety.

What is Blackshades malware?

Blackshades is a malicious trojan horse used by hackers to control infected computers remotely. The malware targets computers using operating systems based on Microsoft Windows. According to US officials, over 500,000 computer systems have been infected worldwide with the software.

How does Blackshades infect a computer?

Blackshades infects computer systems by downloading onto a victim's computer when the victim accesses a malicious webpage (sometimes downloading onto the victim's computer without the victim's knowledge, known as a drive-by download) or through external storage devices, such as USB flash drives. Blackshades has the ability to infect and hack multiple computers from the release of a bait that the hacker can make use of, an improved version of blackshades was released shortly after the original release of the primary version, when hacking organizations like Octagonun and Cyber-Sec, decided to develop special features for coupling to the software such as undetectability, DDoS / TCP Flood, and backdoor persistence features.

How much did Blackshade cost before the FBI?

Before the FBI crackdown, Blackshades was sold for US$40 on Hack Forums, and reportedly generated US$350,000 in sales.

How long was Stefan Rigo suspended?

In 2015, Stefan Rigo from Leeds was given a 40-week suspended sentence for using BlackShades against 14 people, 7 of whom he knew personally. It is reported he paid for the software using his ex-girlfriend's payment card.

Can antivirus detect Blackshades?

Many antivirus programs can successfully detect and remove Blackshades, however hackers using the Blackshades software usually avoid detection of Blackshades infections by using software that obfuscates the Blackshades binary to avoid detection by antivirus programs, which the Blackshades organization also sold along with the Blackshades software.

What was the name of the computer fraud and abuse act?

Hogue, a co-creator of Blackshades, was arrested and indicted on charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1030, more commonly known as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. He was sentenced to five years of probation, 20 years suspended prison sentence.

Can Blackshades be used remotely?

Blackshades can reportedly be used remotely to access an infected computer without authorization. Blackshades allows hackers to perform many actions on an infected computer remotely without authorization, including the ability to: Access and modify files on the victim's computer. Log keystrokes on the victim's computer.

How does ransomware work?

Ransomware works by allowing the hacker to lock or encrypt files (sometimes even locking you out of your device completely), and then demand money in exchange for allowing you to regain access.

What is Blackshades malware?

Blackshades malware is referred to as a remote access tool (RAT), meaning it allows the hacker to gain full access to your machine as if he were sitting right in front of it . The technology behind this threat is similar to that used by the IT department at your office. When Joe IT Guy needs to access your work computer to install updates, fix an issue with your settings, or remotely control your machine for a variety of other reasons, he can—with advanced warning and mutual understanding that he has the right to do so. Perpetrators of Blackshades malware aren’t quite as courteous.

What is McAfee cybersecurity?

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Does McAfee LiveSafe protect against phishing?

Install comprehensive security. Comprehensive security, like McAfee LiveSafe can protect you from phishing attacks and malicious websites as well as protecting your data, identity and devices from malicious software on your PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets.

How many interviews have been conducted during the Blackshades takedown?

So far during the takedown, 40 FBI field offices have conducted approximately 100 interviews, executed more than 100 e-mail and physical search warrants, and seized more than 1,900 domains used by Blackshades users to control victims’ computers. And that’s not all.

How to protect your computer from malware?

Protect Your Computer from Malware 1 Make sure you have updated antivirus software on your computer. 2 Enable automated patches for your operating system and web browser. 3 Have strong passwords, and don’t use the same passwords for everything. 4 Use a pop-up blocker. 5 Only download software—especially free software—from sites you know and trust (malware can also come in downloadable games, file-sharing programs, and customized toolbars). 6 Don’t open e-mail attachments in unsolicited e-mails, even if they come from people in your contact list, and never click on a URL contained in an e-mail, even if you think it looks safe. Instead, close out the e-mail and go to the organization’s website directly.

How many arrests have been made for malware?

More than 90 arrests have been made so far, and more than 300 searches have been conducted worldwide. Malware is malicious software whose only purpose is to damage or perform other unwanted actions on computer systems.

Who is the Blackshades co-developer?

We spun off a new investigation and ultimately identified one of the Cardshop subjects—Michael Hogue—and Alex Yucel as the Blackshades co-developers. Yucel, the alleged head of the organization that sold the malware, was previously arrested in Moldova and is awaiting extradition to the U.S.

Can you open attachments in unsolicited emails?

Don’t open e-mail attachments in unsolicited e-mails, even if they come from people in your contact list, and never click on a URL contained in an e-mail, even if you think it looks safe. Instead, close out the e-mail and go to the organization’s website directly.

How do hackers infect their victims?

Hackers, however, infect their victims with Blackshades by tricking them into clicking links that install the malware, or by hiring others to install the RAT. Once installed, cybercriminals can lure other victims by sending malicious links through the first victim’s social media accounts.

How much does Blackshades cost?

You don’t have to be a sophisticated hacker to wreak havoc with the tool, which has been sold via PayPal for as little as $40. “Blackshades was a tool created and marketed principally for buyers who wouldn’t know how to hack their way out of a paper bag,” wrote Brian Krebs of Krebs on Security. “The product was sold via well-traveled and fairly open hacker forums, and even included an active user forum where customers could get help configuring and wielding the powerful surveillance tool.”

What is Blackshades used for?

It can be used to encrypt and lock files, forcing users to pay ransom to regain access. The program also modifies itselfto elude antivirus software.

Why do IT departments use RATs?

Anyone can buy a remote access tool. Office IT departments use RATs so they can fix problems with employees’ computers when they don’t happen to be in the office. The difference is that the IT guy has administrative access – he isn’t sneaking into your computer without permission.

Is Blackshades a spy program?

Here’s what the FBI press release doesn’t tell you: Blackshades is just a cheaper version of similar spying software legally marketed for government and law enforcement use. Programs sold by Hacking Team and Gamma, for example, also allow users gain unauthorized access to someone else’s computer. A recent report from Toronto-based surveillance watchdog Citizen Lab showed Hacking Team’s software was being used in 21 countries, including some that suppress civil liberties and have poor human rights records. Hacking Team told Mashable the report was inaccurate. Citizen Lab also reported in 2012 that RATs were used to target journalists and activists in Syria.

Who is Alex Yucel?

arrow-right. U.S. authorities arrested Alex Yucel, the 24-year-old Swedish man who helped create the malicious software or “malware” – his partner, Michael Hogue, was nabbed in 2012 – along with Brendan Johnston,  Marlen Rappa and Kyle Fedorek, who were charged with hacking.

Can a Remote Access Trojan be installed to BIOS?

Access to the BIOS has been known to the world’s hackers since 2015. Many believe that the NSA was planting RATs and trackers on BIOS even earlier.

What is intrusion detection?

Intrusion detection systems are important tools for blocking software intrusion that can evade detection by antivirus software and firewall utilities. The SolarWinds Security Event Manager is a Host-based Intrusion Detection System. However, there is a section of the tool that works as a Network-based Intrusion Detection System. This is the Snort Log Analyzer. You can read more about Snort below, however, you should know here that it is a widely used packet sniffer. By employing Snort as a data collector to feed into the Snort Log Analyzer, you get both real-time and historic data analysis out of the Security Event Manager.

How does a RAT toolkit work?

Other elements propagate the RAT by sending out links to infected web pages. These are sent to the social media contacts of an infected user.

What is SIEM in security?

This dual capability gives you a full Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) service. This means that you can watch Snort-captured events live and also examine cross-packet intrusion signatures identified through log file records.

How does Beast RAT work?

The Beast RAT attacks Windows systems from Windows 95 up to Windows 10. This uses the same client-server architecture that Back Orifice pioneered with the server part of the system being the malware that gets installed surreptitiously on the target computer. Once the server element is operational, the hacker can access the victim computer at will through the client program. The client connects to the target computer at port number 6666. The server is also able to open connections back to the client and that uses port number 9999. Beast was written in 2002 and is still widely in use.

How to get rid of a RAT?

Sometimes, the only solution to rid your computer of a RAT is to wipe out all of your software and reinstall the operating system. RAT prevention systems are rare because the RAT software can only be identified once it is operating on your system.

What can a hacker do with a RAT?

A hacker with a RAT can command power stations, telephone networks, nuclear facilities, or gas pipelines. RATs not only represent a corporate network security risk, but they can also enable belligerent nations to cripple an enemy country.

What is BlackShades?

BlackShades is a remote administration tool, or a RAT. RATs allow their users to “remotely administrate” on other computers. In many cases, such as tech support or software demonstrations, RATs do indeed have legitimate use: they allow one user to help another or to show them how to use a new software tool.

Who was arrested?

Early reports indicate that between 81-97 people have been arrested by the FBI and various European law enforcement agencies, on the premise of downloading BlackShades.

Part of a larger Anti-Cyber Crime effort

Last week’s BlackShades crackdown coincides with an FBI announcement via Reuters to increase its global, anti-cyber crime efforts and to take a more offensive approach to arresting criminals. In the weeks to come, it will be interesting to see if the BlackShades raid is just one of many conducted against popular malware kits and tools.

BlackShades Updates

Late Monday, the Manhattan U.S. Attorney and the FBI issued a public press release with more details about their ongoing BlackShades investigation.

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Overview

Blackshades is a malicious trojan horse used by hackers to control infected computers remotely. The malware targets computers using operating systems based on Microsoft Windows. According to US officials, over 500,000 computer systems have been infected worldwide with the software.
In 2014, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested hundreds of people who had Blackshade in their computer. Before the FBI crackdown, Blackshades was sold for US$40 on Hack …

Functionality

Detection and removal

Blackshades in the media

FBI crackdown

External links