Browser hijackers can be a real nuisance because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up redirecting users to sites that are full of ads in order to generate click revenue. ChromeLoader is one of the more prominent browser hijackers out there, but researchers recently revealed that it is actually far more dangerous than the average hijacker due to its use of PowerShell.
ChromeLoader has been on the rise in terms of its active usage recently, and the sophisticated threat that it poses is something that regular internet users are not aware of. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that this hijacker can use PowerShell to spread various forms of malware, including ransomware and spyware, as well as steal session data from browsers which could pose a huge privacy risk for users.
Many users have their browsers infected by ChromeLoader when trying to download cracked games or software in the form of ISO files, and this makes Windows users especially susceptible. In spite of the fact that this is the case, Mac users are not entirely safe from this pervasive browser hijacker either with all things having been considered and taken into account. ChromeLoader is not designed for a specific OS, so while it is definitely easier to infect Windows users, Mac users are also susceptible if they download a DMG file which is the image file for Mac OS.
ChromeLoader inserts itself into your browser with PowerShell, and this gives it widespread access and permissions to various other parts of your computer as well. It turns into an extension that users might not even notice, and it will implement its sinister code in the background unbeknownst to its victims.
It has not been used with a higher level threat just yet, but there is no telling when a malicious actor might realize its true potential and attempt to exploit it. Chrome users on Mac OS and Windows alike need to check their extensions and avoid downloading cracked files.
H/T: RedCanary.
Read next: Telegram’s Blogging Platform Comes Under Attack By Phishing Actors
ChromeLoader has been on the rise in terms of its active usage recently, and the sophisticated threat that it poses is something that regular internet users are not aware of. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that this hijacker can use PowerShell to spread various forms of malware, including ransomware and spyware, as well as steal session data from browsers which could pose a huge privacy risk for users.
Many users have their browsers infected by ChromeLoader when trying to download cracked games or software in the form of ISO files, and this makes Windows users especially susceptible. In spite of the fact that this is the case, Mac users are not entirely safe from this pervasive browser hijacker either with all things having been considered and taken into account. ChromeLoader is not designed for a specific OS, so while it is definitely easier to infect Windows users, Mac users are also susceptible if they download a DMG file which is the image file for Mac OS.
ChromeLoader inserts itself into your browser with PowerShell, and this gives it widespread access and permissions to various other parts of your computer as well. It turns into an extension that users might not even notice, and it will implement its sinister code in the background unbeknownst to its victims.
It has not been used with a higher level threat just yet, but there is no telling when a malicious actor might realize its true potential and attempt to exploit it. Chrome users on Mac OS and Windows alike need to check their extensions and avoid downloading cracked files.
H/T: RedCanary.
Read next: Telegram’s Blogging Platform Comes Under Attack By Phishing Actors
