Gameover Zeus (Virus/Malware)

[Cleoriff]

Apologies if this has been mentioned before, but as it has been making headline news today and yesterday I thought it imperative to post a warning here.

There is news from the US that a particularly destructive virus has been set up by a team of hackers.

Its called Gameover Zeus. Particularly virulent. Hacks into personal info taking bank detals and is holding computer users to ransom  to regain the info taken from them

The US, FBI and National crime agency have closed down the site for NOW....however they say it could be up and running again in two weeks.

A timely reminder to back up files, install further computer protection and hope for the best. It is felt that at least 15,000 users have already been infected in the UK

A far more in depth report is explained here.....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2646537/Powerful-computer-virus-start-emptying-bank-accounts...

EDIT: If @Toby feels this is better placed in Off Topic....please feel free to move it

[Anonymous]

Something I've just read "Charlie McMurdie, former head of the national ecrime unit, described the threat as a ‘cyber plague’ and warned that it could also be used to target mobile phones.

She said: ‘Once one of these plagues is released everybody will pick up on it, adapt it and people around the world will be using these sorts of virus to carry out crime.

‘It’s not just computers, this kind of malware is now being hitting our mobile phones.’"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2646757/Powerful-computer-virus-start-emptying-bank-accounts...

[Cleoriff]

Thanks for that link @Anonymous .....

Interesting to read a lesser version of the GOZ (Gameover Zeus) was about in 2011.

Must have grown like mad in the Cyberworld for the FBI and National Security Agency to be on the

case...shutting it down...if only for two weeks

[Anonymous]

My question would be ;

As a Mac user this at the moment does not affect my systems.

However if I pass on an infected email to someone else then it could affect their windows machine.

I'm not sure if their is something I can do Pro~Actively to try stop this from occurring.

[Anonymous]

Hi @Anonymous

Up To Press nothing concrete has been said about smartphones.

If you look in the App Store their are apps to take a look at. Just search with the key word 'security'

[Anonymous]

Thought this was worth sharing from the BBC News Website.

How to defend yourself against the 'two-week' attack


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27681236

[Anonymous]

Okay, its time for me to step in here, and if I was feeling better I'd give a more detailed post.

GameOver Zeus is NOT a virus. It will not spread from one PC to another automatically via email or any other means.

GameOver Zeus IS a botnet. Its main function is to give criminals the ability to view your files, monitor your bank accounts, send emails in your name and even use your webcam to physically spy on you.

GameOver Zeus is also closely linked to CryptoLocker, the software that was asking for a ransom to give users access to their PC again after it locked them out. If Gameover Zeus can't find enough on your computer to make a profit for the criminals, CryptoLocker will take over, effectively lock down your machine and demand a ransom.

GameOver Zeus is a piece of software that has gotten onto millions of PCs around the globe via Phishing emails. So people who have clicked on the links in these emails and aren't running up to date antivirus software will likely have the GameOver botnet software on their PC.

GameOver Zeus is a Windows only piece of malware. It will not be found on Mac, iOS devices, Android Devices or BlackBerry devices. 

The two weeks quoted is an indication to how long the botnet is offline for since the FBI have taken control of it. They are estimating that the "bad people" will take control of it again in around 2 weeks.

ISPs are in the process of sending letters to everyone who they now know have this botnet on their computer.

You do however need to take action NOW. If you have antivirus software installed on your PC, ensure it is updating. If it isn't, update it and run a full scan. If you don't have antivirus software, there are lots of free solutions out there, Avast! is the one I use and have had no issues with. It is also worthwhile running software that searches for specific malware, ie McAfee Stinger or Sophos Virus Removal Tool

Update your operating system with all available updates. Click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update 

If you must take one thing away from my post, please let it be this: DO NOT click on links or open attachments in emails you are not expecting no matter how official they may look or who they are from. 

[Cleoriff]

Thanks @Anonymous for your excellent post which clarifies a great deal.

Since I first posted this, I have researched more and discussed with various other computer experts. I realise

that Gameover Zeus has been around since 2011 and had its 'legs cut off' as it were, back then.

I also realise, it has grown again, headed by a much bigger group of hackers.

However what's evident is, media hype is exacerbating the awareness and danger of it.

Maybe the FBI have their own agenda? Who knows?

One thing is certain...it is causing massive panic throughout the UK, rightly or wrongly.

I am not a computer expert, my husband IS however.

I have been reassured by him that 'we are protected and have little need for concern'....:smileywink:

[Anonymous]

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@Cleoriff wrote:

However what's evident is, media hype is exacerbating the awareness and danger of it.

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I'm not sure what makes this worse than any other Bot out there other than the fact it has been teamed up with Cryptolocker but for some reason the media have jumped on this one. But I guess the more its advertised by the media the more people "might" think about protecting their PC adequately and altering what they do when they recieve a random email!

Glad you're protected Cleoriff, I had to give a bit more information on what it is and what people need to do. Its my job after all! 

[Cleoriff]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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 Glad you're protected Cleoriff, I had to give a bit more information on what it is and what people need to do. Its my job after all! 

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I couldn't agree more. There were a lot of questions being asked. I couldn't answer them which was why I hoped some computer expert would rock up and give their advice.

On that note...and feeling much happier, I will retire to bed. Thanks again

[Cleoriff]

Apologies for revisiting this again. Talking about media hype, I have hidden a smile or two today.

Not only was it on BBC and ITV news channels, it was also 'news item' of the day on This Morning.

All the media does appear to be pushing their respective boats out with this story...bringing in different security

experts, all giving slightly different interpretations of what Gameover Zeus and CryptoLocker actually are.

The one good thing is.... they all give the same advice supplied above by @Anonymous