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Submission: On April 11 via api from US — Scanned from DE
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WWW.ANDROIDPOLICE.COM * News * Latest News * Latest Deals * Android 12 * Chrome OS + Chromebooks * Wear OS * Android TV * Android Auto * App & Games * Games * Apps * Roundups * Reviews, Guides & Features * Reviews * Editorials * Guides & How-tos * Features * The Best Products * The best Android phones * The best smartwatches * The best Chromebooks * The best Android tablets * The best Android apps * The best Android games * The best wireless earbuds * Share a tip! Follow Us FOLLOW ANDROID POLICE * * * * * * * * Home * Applications CHINESE HACKERS ARE USING VLC MEDIA PLAYER TO LAUNCH MALWARE ATTACKS By Steve Huff Published 3 days ago Share 0 Share Tweet Share Email The likely state-sponsored hacks began in 2021 VLC is a super-popular media player for good reason: It's free, open source, and available on just about every platform imaginable. Plus, it can handle basically any audio or video file you throw at it. VLC is also light on resources, meaning it won't slow down your Windows computer — unless, perhaps, it's hiding malicious software. A new report indicates that's entirely possible, due to the efforts of a notorious Chinese hacking gang. Symantec's cybersecurity experts say a Chinese hacking group called Cicada (aka Stone Panda or APT10) is leveraging VLC on Windows systems to launch malware used to spy on governments and related organizations. Additionally, Cicada has targeted legal and non-profit sectors, as well as organizations with religious connections. The hackers have cast a wide net, with targets in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Turkey, Israel, India, Montenegro, and Italy. ANDROIDPOLICE VIDEO OF THE DAY Close Powered By 00:00/07:31 10 Galaxy S20 Plus: 2 months later Share Next Stay According to Symantec, Cicada grabs a clean version of VLC and drops a malicious file alongside the media player's export functions. It's a technique that hackers frequently rely on to sneak malware into what would otherwise be legitimate software. Cicada then uses a VNC remote-access server to fully own the compromised system. They can then evade detection using hacking tools like Sodamaster, which scans targeted systems, downloads more malicious packages, and obscures communications between compromised systems and the hackers' command-and-control servers. The VLC attacks — which Symantec believes may be ongoing — began in 2021 after hackers exploited a known Microsoft Exchange server vulnerability. Researchers indicate that while the mysterious malware lacks a fun, dramatic name like Xenomorph or Escobar, they are certain it's being used for espionage — Cicada's focus hints that this guess is correct. While the group has gone after the healthcare industry in the past, it's also been attacking the defense, aviation, shipping, biotechnology, and energy sectors. With plenty of funding and sophisticated tools and techniques, groups like Cicada continue to pose a serious threat to computer systems around the world. There are a number of steps that can be taken to help protect against state-sponsored hacking, including maintaining up-to-date security software, using strong passwords, and backing up important data. After all, no one wants to make the hackers' jobs any easier for them. How to use Shizuku for ADB rootless mods on any Android device Read Next Share 0 Share Tweet Share Email Related Topics * News * Applications * VLC * hacking * malware About The Author Steve Huff (135 Articles Published) Steve is the Weekend News Editor for Android Police. He was previously the Deputy Digital Editor for Maxim magazine and has written for Inside Hook, Observer, and New York Mag. He's the author of two official tie-ins books for AMC's hit "Breaking Bad" prequel, "Better Call Saul." More From Steve Huff NEWSLETTER Subscribe to Android Police’s weekly newsletter, with the biggest stories, latest deals, and insight on the week’s news. Just enter your email below. Subscribe POLL WILL YOU REPAIR OR FIX YOUR OWN BROKEN SMARTPHONE? Absolutely, once parts are available. 32%, 531 votes Depends on what's broken, but if it's a simple enough fix, I would do it myself. 45%, 755 votes No, I prefer to have a professional repair service fix my device. 15%, 253 votes No, I usually upgrade once my smartphone is broken. 7%, 116 votes Something else I'll write in the comments. 1%, 24 votes Total Votes: 1679 Vote View results * NEWS * REVIEWS 0 GOOGLE RELEASES THE HOUNDS UPON ONLINE PET SCAMMERS ON NATIONAL PETS DAY 30 minutes ago 0 SAMSUNG'S LTE-ONLY GALAXY A13 DEBUTS WITH A BETTER SCREEN, MORE CAMERAS, AND A 50% OFF DEAL 34 minutes ago 0 SAMSUNG UPGRADES EXPERT RAW CAMERA APP FOR IMPROVED LOW-LIGHT PERFORMANCE 2 hours ago 2 FITBIT FOLLOWS APPLE WATCH'S LEAD WITH STROKE-PREVENTING TECH 3 hours ago 1 VIVO'S FIRST FOLDABLE IS HERE WITH AN IMPRESSIVE SPEC SHEET AND A REASONABLE PRICE TAG 3 hours ago 12 NETFLIX GIVES TWO THUMBS UP TO A NEW, MORE COMPLICATED RATING SYSTEM 6 hours ago See More 5 IQOO 9 PRO REVIEW: A SERIOUS ALTERNATIVE TO THE GALAXY S22 1 day ago 5 SAMSUNG GALAXY A53 REVIEW: CHEAPER FOR A REASON 1 day ago 5 MOTO G STYLUS (2022) REVIEW: MOTOROLA'S TRUE FLAGSHIP 6 days ago 15 LENOVO TAB P12 PRO REVIEW: A WINDOW INTO THE FUTURE OF ANDROID TABLETS Apr 3, 2022 66 IPAD AIR (2022) REVIEW: MAKING $1,000 ANDROID TABLETS LOOK SILLY Apr 3, 2022 16 NVIDIA SHIELD PRO (2019) REVIEW: AS POWERFUL AS IT IS EXPENSIVE Apr 2, 2022 See More TRENDING NOW 26 HOW TO USE CUSTOM ICON PACKS ON SAMSUNG ONE UI 4 32 WEEKEND POLL: WOULD YOU REPAIR OR FIX YOUR OWN BROKEN SMARTPHONE? 14 SAMSUNG ONE UI 5 RUMORS TEASE ANDROID 13'S EARLY ARRIVAL FOR GALAXY PHONES READ NEXT IN SOFTWARE 4 UPSET THE BLACKBERRY 5G WAS CANCELED? UNIHERTZ'S NEXT PHONE MAY BE FOR YOU FINAL FANTASY VII: THE FIRST SOLDIER STARTER'S GUIDE - TIPS AND TRICKS FOR NEW PLAYERS 1 AN ANDROID 13 FEATURE IS ALREADY IN ANDROID 12L, BUT YOU CAN'T USE IT YET 12 NETFLIX GIVES TWO THUMBS UP TO A NEW, MORE COMPLICATED RATING SYSTEM 3 HOW TO SET UP A PLEX SERVER ON AN NVIDIA SHIELD TV 17 THE PLAY STORE WILL SOON HIDE OLD APPS IN THE NAME OF SECURITY 87 THE UTTER LACK OF REAL COMPETITION PROVES LG WAS RIGHT TO DROP OUT 15 XIAOMI 12 PRO REVIEW: ITERATIVE IMPROVEMENTS ADD UP 4 ONEPLUS NORD CE 2 REVIEW: BEREFT OF ONEPLUS CHARACTER * Share A Tip * Home * Write For Us * Terms * Privacy * Copyright * About Us * Fact Checking Policy * Corrections Policy * Ethics Policy * Ownership Policy * Partnership Disclaimer * Contest Rules Copyright © 2022 www.androidpolice.com user-signalWir schätzen Ihre Privatsphäre Alles ablehnenAlles akzeptieren Wir und unsere Partner informationen auf einem gerät speichern und/oder abrufen. 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