Authored by Yashvi Shah and Preksha Saxena AsyncRAT, also known as “Asynchronous Remote Access Trojan,” represents a highly sophisticated malware variant meticulously crafted to breach computer systems security and steal confidential data. McAfee Labs has recently uncovered a novel infection chain, shedding light on its potent lethality and the various security bypass mechanisms it employs. It utilizes a variety of file types, such as PowerShell, Windows Script File (WSF), VBScript (VBS), and others within a malicious HTML file. This multifaceted approach aims to circumvent antivirus detectio ..read more

In the hands of a thief, your Social Security Number is the master key to your identity.  With a Social Security Number (SSN), a thief can unlock everything from credit history and credit line to tax refunds and medical care. In extreme cases, thieves can use it to impersonate others. So, if you suspect your number is lost or stolen, it’s important to report identity theft to Social Security right away.  Part of what makes an SSN so powerful in identity theft is that there’s only ..read more

In a world where deepfake scams and misinformation are on the rise, McAfee has announced significant enhancements to its AI-powered deepfake detection technology. Leveraging the power of the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in Intel® Core Ultra processor-based PCs, McAfee Deepfake Detector is set to revolutionize the fight against deepfakes, providing consumers with the tools they need to discern truth from fiction.  The Growing Concern for Deepfakes  With nearly two-thirds of people globally expressing increased concern about deepfakes, McAfee Deepfake Detector comes at a crucial time ..read more

In our digital age, a computer is not just a tool; it’s a gateway to a world of possibilities, entertainment, and creativity. The speed of everyday tasks from gaming, and streaming TV shows to editing images and videos can make us more productive but also make our computers more fun to use. When exploring our software choices, it’s vital to choose apps and services, such as online protection tools that have a minimal impact on your computer, allowing you to live your best life online, without the concerns of your PC slowing down.  McAfee has once again proven its excellence by securing t ..read more

Until recently, people had little control over how companies used their online data. But, with data privacy now a human right, people are pickier about who can access their data and how they use it.   Every time you visit a website by typing its address on the address bar, your browser history holds a record of information like the name of the site, its location, and when you visited it. Unfortunately, third parties can access this data, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft and data misuse. Simply deleting your Internet Explorer browser history is not enough to safeguard your data.&n ..read more

Authored by Yashvi Shah, Lakshya Mathur and Preksha Saxena McAfee Labs has recently uncovered a novel infection chain associated with DarkGate malware. This chain commences with an HTML-based entry point and progresses to exploit the AutoHotkey utility in its subsequent stages. DarkGate, a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) developed using Borland Delphi, has been marketed as a Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) offering on a Russian-language cybercrime forum since at least 2018. This malicious software boasts an array of functionalities, such as process injection, file download and execution, data theft, s ..read more

It’s the romance scam story that plays out like a segment on a true crime show. It starts with a budding relationship formed on an online dating site. It ends with an ominous note and an abandoned car on a riverside boat ramp hundreds of miles away from the victim’s home.  The story that follows offers a look at how far romance scams can go. With that, we warn you that this story comes to a grim ending. We share it to show just how high the stakes can get in these scams and how cunning the scammers who run them can be.   Most importantly, it gives us an opportunity to show how ..read more

You consider yourself a responsible person when it comes to taking care of your physical possessions. You’ve never left your wallet in a taxi or lost an expensive ring down the drain. You never let your smartphone out of your sight, yet one day you notice it’s acting oddly.   Did you know that your device can fall into cybercriminals’ hands without ever leaving yours? SIM swapping is a method that allows criminals to take control of your smartphone and break into your online accounts.  Don’t worry: there are a few easy step ..read more

According to reports from the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel database, text message scams swindled $372 million from Americans in 2023 alone. The staggering figure highlights a growing concern for consumers globally, who increasingly interact with brands and service providers via text, email, and even social media. As our reliance on technology continues, it is important for everyone to understand how to spot scam texts amid the real messages they receive.  amid the real messages they receive. With such frequent communication from brands and organizations, you can be hard-p ..read more

We’ve said it several times in our blogs — it’s tough knowing what’s real and what’s fake out there. And that’s absolutely the case with AI audio deepfakes online.  Bad actors of all stripes have found out just how easy, inexpensive, and downright uncanny AI audio deepfakes can be. With only a few minutes of original audio, seconds even, they can cook up phony audio that sounds like the genuine article — and wreak all kinds of havoc with it.  A few high-profile cases in point, each politically motivated in an election year where the world will see more than 60 national elections:&nb ..read more