Introduction
In this post, you will learn the Top 3 Rootkit attacks in the real world. I have already written a post on what is Rootkit and its type. To read about Rootkit Briefly[Click here].
Top 3 Rootkit Attack
Let’s see a quick recap of what is a rootkit? A rootkit is a malicious software created by cybercriminals. Rootkit malware is different from other malware because Rootkit specifically attacks system kernel or OS.
Credit card 2008 Rootkit Attacks
In the year 2008, organized criminals from China and Pakistan did a firmware rootkit attack on western European market. We knew firmware or BIOS is a system software installed in a chip.
Let’s see how exactly the criminals performed the attack;
Firstly, they got the credit card scanners from companies and added malicious code to the system BIOS. They added to system BIOS because they give the whole control of the device. And then the criminals hired professionals to sell the credit card scanners to the western European market.
So, Now every time a person swipes the card on the scanner his card details and the pin will be stolen without knowing the shop owner and the purchaser.
Anyway, gradually the attack started to slow down and the cyber analyst says more than 10 million pounds would be stolen.
Also Read: Botnet Attacks in real world
Zero access 2011 Rootkit attacks
In 2011, Cybersecurity analysts got a call from users that their systems are not working. And the infected users cannot even enter into the computer and this is a Kernel-based rootkit attack.
It is said that more than 2 Million computers were affected by the zero access attack and half the system were seized and went to the trash can. I still don’t know who is behind this attack, and this Malware enters with trusted SaaS(Software as a service) Applications.
Once the malware enters the kernel, it remains silent and creates a backdoor attack. And Installs infected software programs through the backdoor. The Zero Access attack is still alive.
Also Read: Adware attacks in real life
Flame Rootkit attacks
Source: https://www.wired.com/2012/06/us-and-israel-behind-flame/
Cybersecurity experts from different countries have discovered the Flame Rootkit attack in 2012. This Rootkit is a headache for cybersecurity experts. The organization behind this attack is still unknown.
Let’s see what the Flame Rootkit attack can do? The Flame Rootkit attack can do everything, like takeover a user’s computer and monitor the screen, and also monitors the keystrokes. The most important is this rootkit malware can also monitor Internet traffic.
The cybersecurity team says they have found this malware almost on 80 Servers and across three continents. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest Rootkit exploits.
Also Read: Top 9 Ransomware attacks in real life
Also Read: What is a cryptographic key? Types of cryptographic key!
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