• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Jobs
  • Career
    • Cyber Security Training
    • Work from Home
    • Cyber Security Analyst
    • Remote Work – Six Ways to Keep Your Data Safe When Working Remotely
  • Field Guide
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Deals
  • News
AskCyberSecurity.com

AskCyberSecurity.com

Cyber Security News & Information

  • Home
  • Data Privacy
    • Gamers
    • Government Cyber Security
      • Legislation
      • Standards
        • What are the risks of computer security?
        • Medical Cyber Security
    • Social Media
  • Security
    • Data Breaches
    • Scams
      • Identity theft
    • Malware
      • Ransomware
  • Software
    • Apps
    • Web Browsers
  • Glossary
    • Cyber Security Acronyms
  • About Ask Cyber Security
    • Authors
    • Contact Us
  • VPN
    • How Do I Know If My VPN is Working?
    • Best Free VPN iPhone
    • Why Use a VPN?
    • NordVPN vs IPVanish
    • Private Internet Access Download
    • Best VPN for Streaming
      • TikTok VPN
    • VPN Porn
    • Computer Security Software – What You Really Need
  • Tutorials
AskCyber Home » News » News » Fireball Malware Hackers Arrested by Chinese Authorities

Fireball Malware Hackers Arrested by Chinese Authorities

2017-07-26 by Michelle Dvorak

Fireball Malware Hackers Arrested by Chinese Authorities

Chinese authorities arrested nine hackers who are responsible for the Fireball Malware. All nine people are employees of Chinese digital marketing firm Rafotech. Fireball infected about 250 million computers and has been around since 2015. Twenty-five million machines in India, 24 million in Brazil, 16 million in Mexico, 13 million in Indonesia, and 5.5 million in the United States were infected

Like other malware, it was spread through spam, pirated apps, and piggy backed with Rafotech’s freeware. The Fireball malware was also cleverly packed in Microsoft’s PowerPoint files. Users did not even have to click on a link to start a malware download. Fireball also spies on web traffic, executes malicious code, and installs other plugins without the users’ knowledge.

The malware generated revenue for the hackers by resetting the default search engines. The app was piggybacked onto other downloads and legitimate software developed by Rafotech. The malware infected computers and reset default apps. The hackers made money through clicks and other traffic to ads and websites. The Fireball malware generated 80 million yuan which is $11.8 million USD.

Why You Should Update Your Computers

Laptops, PC, and other device owners should update devices often. Fireball was blocked by Windows Defender since 2015. Yet 250 million computers or about 20 percent of corporate networks were infected despite an effective security patch.

Mashable reported that the hackers did consult with legal professionals prior to releasing the malware, indicating that they were aware of what they were doing and trying to escape prosecution.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Fireball, hacker

About Michelle Dvorak

Michelle writes about cyber security, data privacy focusing on social media privacy as well as how to protect your IoT devices. She has worked in internet technology for over 20 years and owns METRONY, LLC. Michelle earned a B.S. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michelle published a guide to Cyber Security for Business Travelers


LinkedInTwitterFacebook

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter

We Don't Share or Sell Your Info

Web Browsers

Where Are My Saved Passwords in Chrome?

Google Removes 70 Malicious Browser Add-ons from Chrome Web Store

Firefox 75 Reports Your Browser Settings to Mozilla

511 Tactical

WHAT TO SHOP NOW

Shop

Safeguard Your Money with a VPN

Beat the Stock Market! - Get Rule Breakers!

Malwarebytes Anti-Virus is On Sale!

Shop Kaspersky Anti-Virus

Cyber Security Field Guide

Computer Security While TravelingGet Our Cyber Security Field Guide - Available on Amazon!

Recent Posts

Adult Video Streaming Site Data Breach Exposes 2M Customers

Fake eBay Notification Scam Steals Big Money

Principal Security Consultant – AWS

NJCCIC Announces Alice in Cyberspace 2021

Email Service Cuts Off Gun Rights Nonprofit

Categories

Cyber Security News

Fake eBay Notification Scam Steals Big Money

… [Read More...] about Fake eBay Notification Scam Steals Big Money

NJCCIC Announces Alice in Cyberspace 2021

… [Read More...] about NJCCIC Announces Alice in Cyberspace 2021

PayPal Phishing Scam Steals Accounts

… [Read More...] about PayPal Phishing Scam Steals Accounts

Gun Forum Booted by Domain Registrar

… [Read More...] about Gun Forum Booted by Domain Registrar

More Cyber Security News

Tags

amazon Android Apple bitcoin Career China chrome CISA credit card Cyber Attack Cyber security Data Breach data privacy DHS Equifax Facebook FBI Firefox FTC games GDPR Google Government hack hacker identity theft iPhone Iran IRS malware Microsoft North Korea PayPal phishing phishing email ransomware Russia scam smartphone TikTok tutorial VPN web browser WhatsApp WiFi

Government

FTC Releases Cyber Threat Video Playlist

Malware Found on US Government Funded Phones

UK NCA Reaches Out to Youth to Deter Cybercrimes

Texas DOT Hit by Ransomware Attack

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Authors
  • News
  • Newsletter Signup
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Search

Why Use a VPN?

NordVPN vs IPVanish VPN Review

NAVIGATION

  • Data Breaches
  • Data Privacy
  • Gamers
  • Scams
  • Malware

MEMBER NJCCIC

New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell

STAY CONNECTED

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Copyright © 2021 · AskCyberSecurity.com · METRONY, LLC

Go to mobile version