New email virus puts user data at risk

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March 17, 2025March 17, 2025By Mario Vásquez
New email virus puts user data at risk

On Sunday, March 16, the Federal Research Office (FBIfor its acronym in English), which is the United States National Security and Intelligence Service, issued an alert for Internet users who use platforms of email, Due to a new attack of hackers or computer pirates.

According to the main Federal Police Agency in the United States, since the end of 2022 a dangerous virus used by cybercriminals, called Jellyfishit has become one of the most programs harmful of the Internet, since it restricts access to the infected operating system and demands a rescue in exchange for eliminating this restriction.

In other words, the virus, whose name refers to a cyclical monster, kidnap User data, and so far, more than 400 victims Only in the United States, impacting key sectors such as health, education and technology. Therefore, the FBI decided to react to this international threat.

For its part, the cybersecurity and infrastructure safety agency (Cisafor its acronym in English) warned that this malware now also points to users of Gmail and Outlook through Phishinga type of computer attack that consists in deceiving a person to reveal their personal information.

FBI alert about viruses in email

According to the FBI, the creators of the Medusa virus “rent the malicious software to other cybercriminals”, whom they call Affiliatesto launch attacks and extort to your victims. This is because they keep the archives of the people “kidnapped” and demand a rescue in cryptocurrencies So they don’t lose stolen information.

Some users have indicated that these computer pirates operate through a site of filtration of data, where details of the victims are published next to a countdown. Therefore, US authorities consider that this method serves to “press to make digital payment before time is over.”

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For now, the campaigns of Phishing used by Medusa have become the main tools of ESPEASTORSsince cybercriminals send emails posing as Gmail or Outlook. Because of this, it is very easy for Internet users to fall into the trap and share their personal data without even doubting it.

Through this technique, thieves can steal money wave identity From the victim, simply if the user downloads a file infected or enter your information on false pages, granting them the necessary data so that the hackers They access their other accounts in order to kidnap all their files.

“Medusa is a very successful name for this threat, since it has multiple ways to attack and affect various industries. Has become a headache For many users, with serious cases of theft and kidnapping, ”he explained Tim Morris, Security Advisor in Tanium, a private systems and cybersecurity management company.

“Once within an infected system, Medusa executes encrypted commands to evade the detectioninfiltrate the networks, steal credentials and deactivate safety software. I know cases where victims have had to pay more than US $ 10,000 (Q78 thousand) To delay the loss of all your digital data, ”Morris added.

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