themask
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Sophisticated malware finally discovered after 7 years, likely created by a nation-state
Security firm Kaspersky Labs recently released a research paper that uncovers the existence of a piece of highly complex malware that's been in circulation for almost seven years. It's called "The Mask," which is a rough English translation of Careto, a Spanish word for "ugly face" that was found in the malware's code. Aimed at high-level targets such as government institutions, embassies and large energy corporations, Kaspersky says "The Mask" has already claimed nearly 380 unique victims (with more than 1,000 IPs) in 31 countries that include China, France, Germany, the UK and the US. Kaspersky first spotted it in a spear phishing email campaign that entices the recipient over to malicious websites disguised as news sites like The Guardian and the Washington Post. Kaspersky reports that the malware is extremely sophisticated, with a set of tools that include a rootkit, a bootkit, versions that'll affect 32- and 64-bit Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and possibly even mobile operating systems like Android and iOS. Once it gets its hooks into your system, it can be used to hijack all your communication channels and snatch everything from Skype conversations to sensitive encryption keys. It's also very difficult to detect. Due to the level of finesse found in the malware, Kaspersky concludes that "The Mask" was very likely created by a nation-state, much like Stuxnet and Duqu. As to which nation-state that is, the security firm doesn't know, but says it's probably one that is Spanish-speaking based on the code's language. Intrigued? Go on and hit the PDF link here to get the full rundown of what Kaspersky discovered.
Burger King 360 prize comes with steep price: Terror
Ever heard of looking a gift horse in the mouth? It's supposed to be a bad idea. It's just not as unwise as looking a gift Burger King in his deadened, black, all-seeing eyes and learning the exact date of your death. One guy named David did just that ... and lived to tell the tale.David was lucky enough to win a Burger King sweepstakes -- an effort to promote their line of top-notch games -- picking up a premium Xbox 360, tons of accessories, oh, and the physical manifestation of fear: a Burger King mask. Sure, he enjoyed the prizes and all, but it had to be packed in with the face of evil itself, which more than negates the generosity. It's a little like getting hot, free muffins from a truck that just ran over your uncle. "Yes, the muffins were delicious, but ..."Well, at least David didn't receive a copy of Big Bumpin'. So there's still some kindness in the world. [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
