Snynet Solution Logo
MON - SUN: 10 AM - 6 PM
+60 11 5624 8319

Blog

This weird hack might help keep your PC safe from Russian hackers

Image Description

One of the world’s leading cybersecurity experts has suggested an unorthodox mechanism to protect your computer from malware—install a Cyrillic keyboard.

In a Twitter discussion on ransomware operations, Brian Krebs suggested that a great many malware are programmed to not attack targets based in particular countries, which are usually the ones they operate from. 

Based on his analysis, Krebs suggests that malware usually peruses through the list of the installed keyboards in Windows in their bid to determine the targeted computer’s country of use.

TechRadar needs you!

We're looking at how our readers use VPN for a forthcoming in-depth report. We'd love to hear your thoughts in the survey below. It won't take more than 60 seconds of your time.

>> Click here to start the survey in a new window<<

For instance, the recent DarkSide malware that brought down the Colonial Pipeline in the US, avoids machines that operate in countries which are the principal members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). 

“Installing a Cyrillic keyboard, or changing a specific registry entry to say ‘RU’, and so forth, might be enough to convince malware that you are Russian and off limits. This can technically be used as a ‘vaccine’ against Russian malware,” Allison Nixon, chief research officer at New York City-based cyber investigations firm Unit221B told Krebs.

Simple workarounds

Unit221B’s founder Lance James has gone one-step ahead and has shared a simple Windows batch script, which you can use to make your Windows servers default to the Russian language with a simple key-press.

During the discussion, others suggested adding entries to the Windows registry to make the computer advertise itself as a virtual machine (VM). The suggestion stems from the fact that several malware have traditionally avoided infecting the ephemeral VMs.

However, James shot down the idea, speaking to Krebs, adding that being a VM doesn’t dissuade malware anymore. “In fact, a lot of the ransomware we’re seeing now is running on VMs,” says James.

In any case, neither of these strategies guarantees that malware will avoid your computer, nor is installing a Cyrillic keyboard a replacement for having robust security software and taking regular backups.

Via KrebsOnSecurity

Date

18 May 2021

Sources

Share

Other Blog

  • Searching your Gmail inbox is about to become way faster on Android

    Gmail users will soon be able to filter email and search results on Android to easily find exactly what they're looking for.

    Read More

  • This RTX 3090 gaming PC is $1000 cheaper with an early Black Friday Newegg deal

    As all the early Black Friday deals start to roll out, this gem from Newegg could be your best chance this year at getting a new RTX 3090 gaming PC ahead of the holiday break, especially with $1,000 off the retail price.

    The Skytech Prism gaming PC normally retails for $4,499, but you can get it from Newegg right now for just $3,499, which is almost how much it costs to just get an RTX 3090 right now thanks to all the price markups online – assuming you can actually find and RTX 3090 graphics card right now.

    (Not in the US? Scroll down for deals in your region).

    Today's best Skytech gaming PC Black Friday deal

    Skytech Prism II gaming PC $4,499 $3,499 at Newegg
    Save $1,000     - Get yourself a specced out RTX 3090 gaming PC from Skytech right now for what you'd pay for the high-end GPU itself. Normally $4,499, this build comes with the RTX 3090, Core i9-10900K, 1TB NVMe SSD, and 16GB DDR4 3,000MHz RAM. This beast of a gaming PC can handle whatever AAA title you throw at it for many years to come, making the price that much more enticing.

    The Skytech Prism II gaming PC comes loaded with the aforementioned RTX 3090, which itself is being sold online for $3,000 by some retailers (let's not even talk about eBay and StockX profiteers), so just for the RTX 3090, this is a heck of a deal right now.

    Add in the Intel Core i9-10900K CPU, 1TB NVMe SSD, 16GB DDR4 3,000MHz RAM and a Z490 motherboard, you start out with great specs with plenty of room to expand your rig for years to come. 

    And with Black Friday PC gaming deals right around the corner, the money you save on this gaming PC build can help you expand your new rig to your liking.

    Did we mention that it's $1,000 off? What are you waiting for?

    More Skytech gaming PC deals

    No matter where you live, you'll find all the lowest prices for Skytech gaming PCs from around the web right here, with offers available in your region. 

    More Black Friday deals

    Find all the best early Black Friday deals from all the major tech retailers from across the web:

    Read More

  • Swiss non-profit turns public internet into decentralized global computer

    The DFINITY Foundation's decentralized global computer project will extend the functionality of the internet.

    Read More

  • The best keyboards of 2020: top 10 keyboards compared

    Find the best keyboard for your Mac or PC with our list of the top keyboards to buy.

    Read More

Find Out More About Us

Want to hire best people for your project? Look no further you came to the right place!

Contact Us