A new twist on an old malware is making a big splash.
The malware in question is called Qakbot. It's a little like ransomware in that it locks files on an infected computer, but it differs in that it locks out Active Directories and steals credentials in order to spread to other nearby systems.
Qakbot has also been updated in its latest iteration. It's very good at hiding its code. It's also very adept at hiding from antivirus software because it's constantly changing itself, evolving or morphing to make it harder to overcome.
Enterprises are the primary target of Qakbot. It infects systems in a number of common ways, through malignant downloads, phishing and the like. It can also be spread through devices and external drives, as well as through network connections.
Qakbot shows signs of targeting enterprises worldwide, so all businesses everywhere should be on the lookout. The best way to guard against a Qakbot infection is to make sure you're up to date on all your systems and to make sure you and your employees follow best practices for preventing cyberattacks.
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CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group
Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent 20+ years professionally at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential issued by the Cyber AB and leads Petronella as a CMMC-AB Registered Provider Organization (RPO #1449). Craig is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE) and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. He also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.
He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.
Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served hundreds of regulated SMB clients across NC and the southeast since 2002, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.