Hackers are hiding malicious HTML code containing a cryptojacking script in desktop wallpaper of Kobe Bryant, the NBA all-time great and a basketball legend.
#Cybercriminals are capitalizing on the death of #KobeBryant by setting booby-traps for those searching for mementos of the star. #Hackers are hiding malicious html code containing a #cryptojacking script in desktop wallpaper of the #NBA all-time great 😞https://t.co/2hOQlhYlPx pic.twitter.com/71o7C6ePK6 — CryptoMood – Sentiment radar with AI (@cryptomood) January 31, 2020
Cryptojacking is a practice whereby cybercriminals hijack processing power from other computers to mine cryptocurrencies remotely.
After the tragic helicopter crash which claimed the lives of Byrant, his 13-year old daughter, and seven other occupants, there has been increased interest in the star from both fans and the general public.
While the world mourns the loss of an NBA legend, cybercriminals are, as expected, taking advantage of the tragedy. We found a malicious HTML file posing as a Kobe Bryant wallpaper that contains a coin mining script. pic.twitter.com/w2JwPvqFy5 — Microsoft Security Intelligence (@MsftSecIntel) January 30, 2020
However, it did not take long for cybercriminals to take advantage of this. An increasing number of people searching for information and images of the star are just a fresh crop of potential victims.
The Microsoft team found the malicious HTML file, Trojan:HTML/Brocoiner.N!lib with its Defender Virus Protection software. The coin mining script was disguised as desktop wallpaper featuring an image of Bryant. The website hosting the coin miner was blocked by the software.
As it has been reported, Bryant’s death brought an outpouring of grief from across social media, including a personal account from Justin Sun, the founder of Tron. Bryant was an avid supporter of crypto, and Tron, in particular, has discussed the future of blockchain with Sun on stage at the niTROn conference in 2019.
<img width="1200" height="808" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.cryptonewspoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/0_H9oEpGYW3PzdAfR4.png?fit=1024%2C689&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-10063 lazyload" />
As a gesture of respect, Sun announced that this year’s niTROn conference would be dedicated to the star.
Thus, given Sun’s prior history of dubious promotional methods, some people on social media were quick to criticize this move as a shameless cash-in.
Source: cointelegraph.com