YouTube: Don't click on this link in a YouTube video; it's a 'ghost network' that will rob you...

Everyone watches YouTube tutorial videos and follows them to learn tips. But can you imagine that following the knowledge provided in these videos could leave you vulnerable to hackers? Using tech tips and app or software download links provided by anonymous or untrusted YouTubers can expose you to malware. Recently, security experts uncovered a massive malware campaign on YouTube. It's been dubbed the "YouTube Ghost Network," which has been operating silently for years. Using fake tutorial videos and stolen channels, pirated software was being spread onto people's computers. Researchers at Check Point investigated and exposed the virus to the world.

This is how the virus enters:
The 420 report reveals that the YouTube Ghost Network contains thousands of videos designed to teach software. These videos lure users with the promise of free or cracked versions of software like Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Office. Each video follows a similar strategy. First, they show a good tutorial, then ask to download a file from Google Drive or Dropbox. The file is password-locked. The comments contain passwords and false reviews. People trust it. But as soon as the file is opened, piracy malware enters the system, stealing passwords, cookies, crypto wallets, and company logins.

One channel closes, another opens.
Check Point's report states that more than 3,000 videos are interconnected. This network is robust. If one channel closes, another is ready. Videos are uploaded from stolen YouTube accounts. Files are placed on external websites. The malware is named Rhadamanthys and Lumma. These steal data silently and can even bypass two-step security.

How to avoid this?
The best defense is to distrust videos related to free crack software. Especially, avoid videos that ask you to disable your antivirus software. Always download from the website of the original company. Test new files in a different location. If the system gets hacked, shut it down, get it fixed by a security expert, clean it, and change the password.

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