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Australians have been advised to be vigilant due to a rise in criminals taking control of their devices through hidden viruses in genuine emails and games.
The Australian Federal Police has reported a surge in Remote Access Trojans, also known as RATS, which are a type of malicious malware that allows a third party to access and steal sensitive personal information.
Cybercriminals obtain RATs to embed viruses in devices via email attachments hidden in “legitimate” links and computer video games.
Police said that once the RAT is downloaded, malware is automatically installed on the user’s device, allowing a cybercriminal to control and access webcams, microphones, online credentials, passwords, geolocation data, files and log history .
“These viruses, known as RATs, are the tools of cybercriminals and are designed to spread and conquer a victim’s device just like the plague,” said AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Goldsmidt.
“This is a reminder to all Australians to practice good cyber hygiene and the importance of keeping software and virus protection up to date.
“Vulnerabilities in old or unprotected software are often a target for criminals trying to gain control of a system so that the owner can be targeted and exploited.”
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Police charged an Australian man in April after he allegedly developed and sold a RAT called “Firebird” to a number of customers on a hacking forum website, while a Geelong man was sentenced to a three-year good behavior bond last year , after purchasing the Orcus RAT online from a Canadian citizen.
A 27-year-old Maltese national was also arrested in February for his alleged involvement in the distribution of the “Warzone” RAT.
Anyone caught using RAT technology in Australia could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
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