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Kovter Strikes Computers Everywhere

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Removing Trojan Kovter Malware

Are you prepared for when disaster strikes

Every year, there are high-impact viruses that plague individuals and businesses alike. One of the newest that has wreaked havoc on the world of IT is known as Kovter. It’s affecting a number of computers and there are a lot of people that have been impacted by its destruction.

What is Kovter?

Kovter works as a Trojan. It has acted as a ransomware downloader as well as click-fraud malware. It is disseminated using malspam email attachments that contain malicious office macros. One of the ways that this fileless malware has been able to evade detection is by hiding inside of registry keys.

There has been a number of reports that indicate the Trojan infections receive updated instructions from a command and control infrastructure that serves as a remote access back door. When this happens, the hackers will have an access point into your computer or server.

Kovter showed up several years ago and continues to be the biggest threat throughout 2018. Part of this is because it has evolved significantly. It may use code injection as a way of infecting the target and will steal information so that it goes back to the command and control servers.

How to Look for Kovter

Kovter is really good at hiding itself. It generally infects a computer using an attachment that comes over as a micro-based spam. Once the attachment is opened, it will install on the computer and hide within the registry entries. Most of the attachments are compromised Microsoft office files.

Since it is fileless, it can be difficult to detect. However, you want to make sure that your organization is aware of how to protect against email threats. Use various anti-spam filters so that malicious emails can be blocked before reaching the endpoint user. You also want to make sure that security updates are applied as soon as possible.

Who Has Been Affected?

A number of people throughout the UK, US, Canada, and Australia have been affected by the Trojan. Many people found the virus through a malvertising campaign or Traffic Junky. People were sent to a pop-up that told them they needed to install an update to their browser. By doing so, they unknowingly downloaded Kovter to their computer.

It’s unclear as to how many computers have actually been affected – though the number is easily into the tens of thousands since one version or another has been around since as early as 2011.

What You Can Do

You need to be sure that you have a high level of security within your business. You want to make sure that you are protecting your servers and workstations so that they stay free of viruses and Trojans. Otherwise, malware can render your computer absolutely useless or result in important data being lost or stolen.

Webroot Antivirus is a 20-time winner from PCMag. It provides you with the antivirus protection on all of your devices so that you can enjoy a greater level of peace of mind. You get advanced threat protection and the security is always on. You can stop ransomware and enjoy real-time blocks on harmful sites. This way, no matter how much you teach your employees not to go to specific sites, you can ensure that dangerous sites are blocked to avoid various problems. Additionally, based on the antivirus protection that you choose, you will also be able to monitor your firewall and network connection and secure various smartphones and tablets that are used by your employees.

Learn more about Webroot Antivirus and how it can protect your servers and workstations by contacting SystemsNet today. Our various packages will monitor your systems and help you with all of the various components of your IT infrastructure. As geeks, we work hard to help you protect your systems

Malware Protection and Your Business – Why You Need a Defence

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Malware is a malicious entity that can attack computers and business networks. They’re generally used to steal personal and financial information. The person behind the virus will take this information and use it to steal money, or they’ll sell it on to criminal gangs who will do the same thing.

As a business, it’s your duty to possess some sort of malware protection. The cost of cybercrime to businesses is massive. The UK Government compiled a study that revealed cybercrime costs the IT services industry $1.6 billion per annum. And the figures are relatively similar for other industries, including the aerospace and chemical industries.

Extending Further

The main threat to a business is not what it can do to your operation. It’s how it can extend to the people you serve. Let’s say you get into a position where malware has infected your network and has taken the details of your customers.

All their personal information, such as where they live, can be used for the purposes of identity fraud. Any financial information, such as credit card details, can be used by criminals to empty bank accounts.

Your Reputation

A business lives or dies based on its reputation. If you gain a negative reputation because you didn’t secure your network, this is going to impact the number of sales you make. Your reputation will impact whether customers turn away from you. And this can cause your business to go bankrupt.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 6 in 10 businesses who sustain a major malware attack in the U.S. will go bankrupt within a year.

Security is a big issue for customers. They want to know their online transactions are safe. It’s the main barrier to eCommerce, and it’s why so many people still won’t shop online.

Reopening the Doors

Practically, recovering from a major malware solution is tough. You have to perform a security audit, invest in new security software, provide any compensation due to customers, and might even have to fight off legal cases.

For a lot of companies, this is too much hassle and they close their doors. You don’t want this to happen to you. The cost isn’t just financial (which is what everyone seems to focus upon), it’s also a major time sink.

The longer you’re closed the more customers you’ll lose. If your site is offline, or the shop doors are closed, your regular customers will assume you’ve closed forever. Very few people will check back twice. It can take years to recover lost ground following a major malware attack.

Go for Quality over Cost

And here’s a final word on the type of malware solution you should invest in. Invest in the solution that works, not the solution that happens to be exceptionally cheap. The savings you’ll make from going for the cheaper option will pale in comparison to the cost of a malware file slipping through the cracks.

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