Mirai botnet malware jumps to Windows to help spread itself onto more devices

the world was introduced to The very norton things malware, which is a strain of malware that can infect connected devices such as DVRs, security cameras and more. The Mirai malware accessed the devices www.mcafee.com/activate using default password and usernames. The malware then mcafee.com/activate product key turns the www.mcafee.com/activate download affected devices into a botnet in order www.mcafee/activate to facilitate a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. This attack ended up flooding one of the largest website hosting www.mcafee.com/activate product key companies in the world, bringing slew of major, well-known websites and services to a screeching halt for hours.

Originally, this malware could only infect Linux based systems, which many connected devices use. This week security researchers found a version that can now www.mcafee.com/activate download infect Windows computers and spread itself to IoT devices on a network. The Windows version of Mirai will attempt to connect to those devices through potentially open ports. These ports could simply be other Windows machines or they may be www.mcafee/activate connected devices. Upon connecting successfully and determining that the platform is Linux based, it will turn that particular device into a DDoS bot in the Mirai botnet. This means that the malware now has a broader infection and distribution rate. There are approximately 1 billion Windows PCs actively running all versions of Windows today.

What is a botnet?

Abotnet is a network of computers, phones, and tablets that have been infected with malware and are then controlled by the owner www.mcafee.com/activate. The “commander” of the botnet then instructs all of the devices to send massive amounts of data to a particular target, such as a web hosting  www.mcafee.com/activate product key company or a specific website. This results mcafee.com/activate product key in what is called a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. A DDoS attack uses all of the devices in its “army” to then attack a target and flood it with traffic. When a website is flooded with too much traffic it can then be taken offline and users cannot access it.

The Internet security threat landscape is shifting

The adoption of Internet connected devices has surged in the past few years. As a result, that has opened up our digital lives www.mcafee/activate to a multitude of vulnerabilities. A connected device is a computer in and of itself, therefore is susceptible to its own security issues. That means your connected thermostat, colorful lighting systems, bluetooth door locks and even toasters all need protection.

As a result of the soaring popularity of these devices, attackers have taken notice. Since the emergence of Mirai in October mcafee.com/activate product key, it has since surfaced on the dark web- the code is available for anyone to modify, and there are established www.mcafee.com/activate botnets using www.mcafee.com/activate download this malware available for rent.

Protect what you can

The best way to defend all of your devices is to protect what comes in contact with your network. Since this particular strain www.mcafee/activate of the Mirai malware is targeting Windows computers www.mcafee.com/activate product key, it is imperative that you protect them. Your first step in a good defense against these types of malware and more is to install www.mcafee/activate a reputable Internet security program, such as Norton security. Norton Security already detects this version of the Mirai malware.

Don’t forget about your router

The more protected your devices are, the www.mcafee/activate less chance you have of becoming an unwilling www.mcafee.com/activate download participant in these types of attacks. Your router is essentially the front door to your digital home. The VERY  first thing you should do is change the default password on your router. You should be able to find mcafee.com/activate product key the instructions online by doing an Internet search of your router’s make and model number, and using the search term “setup” or “change default password.”

Don’t forget- routers have their own vulnerabilities too.  Earlier this month, a router annouced patch for software vulnerabilities www.mcafee.com/activate product key in over 30 devices that could allow hackers access to the router password.

If you really want to take your www.mcafee.com/activate digital security www.mcafee/activate to the next level, consider using a “digital deadbolt” such as Norton core. The Internet landscape may be changing rapidly, but we’re one step ahead of the bad guys www.mcafee.com/activate download. Norton Core is the first and mcafee.com/activate product key only high performance, secure router with Norton www.mcafee/activate protection bundled into it.  Available for pre order now.