Hackers use NEW technique to inject malware into your PC – here’s how to stay safe

SECURITY experts are warning about a new technique hackers are using to try and deliver malware to your PC.

Hacking groups are said to be using a simple but effective trick to steal information from governments.

first

Based on researchers at Proofpoint, cybercriminals have been using this technique to obtain information for the benefit of Russia, China and India.

This technique is called ‘rich text format (RTF) template injection’.

RTF text file attachments can be inserted into phishing emails and scammers will encourage you to click on a file.

RTFs themselves are not new but hackers are said to have found an easier way to manipulate them and deploy them in emails so that they go unnoticed by anti-virus software.

Many companies do not block RTF files by default because they are mainly used in non-malicious ways.

If you click on one of the malicious files, you may be taken to a fake document while the malware is installed on your PC and information may be stolen.

The Proofpoint report concludes: “Ultimately, this is a technique that is ready for wider adoption in the threat landscape beyond targeted phishing attacks with likely adopters being criminal software.”

Victims still have to be tricked to activate the malware, so there are a few things you can do to avoid phishing.

How to avoid malware in phishing emails

The best thing you can do is never click on a link or download an attachment from a suspicious email.

Read emails carefully and try to verify that they are from the sender they are claiming to be before taking any further action.

Many phishing emails include an attempt to panic the victim.

Scammers use this technique to try and get you to provide detailed information or click on links quickly before you have time to think.

If you receive a suspicious email at work, you should notify your company.

In other news, Android users are being warned privacy updates on their phones installed after the new update could make their device vulnerable.

According to reports, Samsung has killed off one of its most beloved smartphone lines.

And, a tech expert revealed some interesting hidden Google features in popular TikTok videos.