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Hackers are baiting users with the opportunity to watch Game Of Thrones online
Game Of Thrones season 7 episode 7, titled The Dragon And The Wolf, aired on HBO and Sky Atlantic last night – with the latter repeating the finale tonight at 9pm.
Cybercriminals have tried to capitalise on the worldwide popularity of this US fantasy show.
Cybersecurity firm Proofpoint says it has observed a “targeted email campaign” that uses details of leaked Game Of Thrones episodes to spread malware to unsuspecting users.
The California-based company first observed the technique in an e-mail sent on August 10th.
It was sent by hackers with the subject line – “Wanna see the Game of Thrones in advance?”.
The disingenuous email contains some details about the latest season of Game Of Thrones. It also contains a Microsoft Word document laced with malware.
When this Word document is downloaded, it will attempt to install a 9002 remote access Trojan (RAT).
RAT allows cybercriminals to takeover administrative control of your computer. As a result, there’s not a whole lot they cannot do to your machine.
With administrative privileges, hackers are able to remotely access confidential information, like credit card and online banking details, take screenshots, and quietly activate the webcam and record video.
Hackers are also able to record your keystrokes, download additional malware or software and format the machine – erasing your data.
Proofpoint says similar attacks in the past have been attributed to groups linked to the Chinese government.
It has not ruled out the possibility that this latest Game Of Thrones themed attack could have originated from the same groups.
PROOFPOINT
The email promises fans can watch Game Of Thrones season 7 online for free
Earlier this summer, the cybercriminals successfully stole 1.5 terabytes of data from HBO, the US network behind the likes of Game Of Thrones, Ballers, Last Week Tonight, and more.
Proofpoint does not link the malware-laced emails with the breach at HBO.
The hackers, who operate online under the pseudonym Mr. Smith Group, siphoned a slew of internal data from HBO – including scripts for unaired Game Of Thrones episodes, information about the upcoming season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and phone numbers of actors involved in HBO shows.
Earlier this month, Mr. Smith Group threatened to publish the final two episodes of Game Of Thrones season 7 online.
“Be ready for GOT S& E6 &E7 as soon as possible,” Mr. Smith Group cautioned HBO in an email that was subsequently forwarded to Mashable. (sic)
A spokesperson for HBO referred us to an earlier statement, which said: “We are not in communication with the hacker and we’re not going to comment every time a new piece of information is released.
“It has been widely reported that there was a cyber incident at HBO.
“The hacker may continue to drop bits and pieces of stolen information in an attempt to generate media attention.
“That’s a game we’re not going to participate in.
“Obviously, no company wants their proprietary information stolen and released on the internet.
“Transparency with our employees, partners, and the creative talent that works with us has been our focus throughout this incident and will remain our focus as we move forward.
“This incident has not deterred us from ensuring HBO continues to do what we do best.”
Mr. Smith Group hackers have previously pressed HBO for some $6.5 million worth of Bitcoin as ransom.