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ESET®, a global pioneer in IT security for more than two decades, has uncovered several examples of malware being distributed via a strategic web compromise. In late October and early November this year, visitors to ammyy.com were offered a bundle containing not only the company’s legitimate Remote Desktop Software, Ammyy Admin, but also malware.

ESET researchers noticed in late October that, for about a week, visitors to ammyy.com were downloading an installer that contained malware along with the Ammyy product. While Ammyy Admin is legitimate software, it has a long history of being used by fraudsters and several security products, such as ESET's, detect it as a Potentially Unsafe Application.

Similarly, Download.com, a major download site, doesn’t provide a direct-download link to Ammyy software to users, instead listing the Ammyy Admin page for information purposes only. However, Ammyy Admin is still widely used: Ammyy’s website lists clients that include TOP500 Fortune companies as well as Russian banks.

According to the ESET investigation, five different malware families were distributed through Ammyy’s website during the recent incident. The first malware, the Lurk downloader, was distributed on October 26. Next was Corebot on October 29, then Buhtrap on October 30, and finally Ranbyus and Netwire RAT on November 2. Although these families are not linked, the droppers that could potentially have been downloaded from Ammyy’s website were the same in every case. Thus it is quite possible that the cybercriminals responsible for the website hack sold the access to different groups.

Of the malware distributed via Ammyy’s website, of particular interest is the install package used in Operation Buhtrap.

“The fact that cybercriminals now use strategic web compromises is another sign of the gap closing between techniques used by cybercriminals and by actors behind so called Advanced Persistent Threats,” said Jean-Ian Boutin, Malware Researcher at ESET.

Read more about this strategic web compromise and its connection with the Operation Buhtrap on WeLiveSecurity.com.

About ESET
ESET®, the pioneer of proactive protection and the maker of the award-winning ESET NOD32® technology, is a global provider of security solutions for businesses and consumers. For over 26 years, the Company continues to lead the industry in proactive threat detection. By obtaining the 80th VB100 award in June 2013, ESET NOD32 technology holds the record number of Virus Bulletin "VB100” Awards, and has never missed a single “In-the-Wild” worm or virus since the inception of testing in 1998. In addition, ESET NOD32 technology holds the longest consecutive string of the VB100 awards of any AV vendor. ESET has also received a number of accolades from AV-Comparatives, AV-TEST and other testing organisations and reviews. ESET NOD32® Antivirus, ESET Smart Security®, ESET Cyber Security® (solution for Mac), ESET® Mobile Security and IT Security for Business are trusted by millions of global users and are among the most recommended security solutions in the world.

ESET recently updated its two-factor authentication (2FA) application, adding a secure validation to weak and static user passwords. This updated version of ESET’s 2FA application provides flexibility and deeper integration of 2FA into bespoke applications, making it the best cost-effective solutions for SMBs everywhere.

The Company has global headquarters in Bratislava (Slovakia), with regional distribution centers in San Diego (U.S.), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Singapore; with offices in Jena (Germany), Prague (Czech Republic) and Sao Paulo (Brazil). ESET has malware research centers in Bratislava, San Diego, Buenos Aires, Singapore, Prague, Košice (Slovakia), Krakow (Poland), Montreal (Canada), Moscow (Russia) and an extensive partner network for more than 180 countries. For more information visit www.eset.sg or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Limited is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Company develops and distributes IT products for Internet and IP-based networks, including communication systems, Internet software, security, network, and media products. Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 Limited offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which includes Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Version 2 Singapore Pte Ltd is the local office of Version 2 Limited.
For more information, please visit www.version-2.com.sg or call (65) 6296-4268.