Hackers have branched out into a new scheme which mimics the URLs of certain videos and ads, getting you to click on them, and then re-directing you to malware-installing pages. Malware, or âmalvertisingâ poses its largest risk at the âzero-dayâ point, where hackers are able to blindside most individuals, businesses, and even some security companies by ambushing databases or networks at the point of access vulnerabilities previously unseen or unknown by users or network owners. Malware videos do whatâs called an âexploitâ of vulnerabilities at the front-end user interface point.
Exploiting Trust
Malware video hackers exploit the trust of Web surfers via tricking them with normally familiar URLs that are one letter or character off of their proprietary spelling. Those who arenât exactly vigilant about what links they click on, or assume that the mimic URL is one from a trusted company get a rude awakening in the form of being escorted to a site that will, like ransomware, hold your computer hostage until you meet the hackersâ demands for payment. And, as Dana Torgersen of Malwarebytes explains, âthe hackers will then alert you that âWe know youâve done such and such online and we will share your private activity unless you pay upâ.â
Choose Your Exploits Well
Whatâs the answer to this latest iteration of hackerism? Choose your exploits well, thatâs how. And, install the proper protections from video malware attacks. Malwarebytes offers an anti-exploit malware-fighting program for those concerned about their data safety when navigating video sites online. And, itâs not just video streaming sites you have to be leery of. Video malware âmimicsâ are also mimicking ads for your favorite products and services, basing those attacks on the same (lack of) principles on which their video attacks work.

Lessons and Preventive Measures
Hackers enjoy shaming their victims and then bluffing them with arbitrary dollar amounts owed that sound too specific not to be true to many who experience these malware attacks. As Christopher Boyd (AKA Paperghost), Malware Intelligence Analyst with Malwarebytes advises, âDonât pay them. Those who continue to pay these hackers keep enabling them to do their crimes. Having them share pictures or your recent (even racy) browsing history is worth enduring. It simply isnât worth itâ Jerome Segura, Malwarebytes Senior Security Researcher advises non-compliance with malware hackers and FBI ransomware (malware that locks up your computer and tells you the FBI is aware of your activity and that you need to pay so-and-so to release it), telling his customers to be extremely careful about the content they browse and visit, especially pornographic sites, which see an inordinately high number of malware âambushesâ.
Crushing Malware
âCrush Malwareâ is the Malwarebytes company slogan, which is good all-around advice for anyone doing business (many businesses routinely work in or on video streaming sites) or just navigating the Web. Crush it with a package from Malwarebytes that will stop malware exploits in their tracks, allowing you to freely browse the Web once again.