HOTforSecurity
  • Home
  • Threats
    • Security alerts
    • Social Networks Security
    • Mobile & Gadgets Security
    • Tips and Tricks
  • Smart Home Security
  • Digital Privacy
    • Digital Identity
    • Good Practices
    • Data Breach Alerts
  • Work from Home: Safety Tips
  • The ABC of Cybersecurity
  • Security Videos
HOTforSecurity
  • Home
  • Threats
    • Security alerts
    • Social Networks Security
    • Mobile & Gadgets Security
    • Tips and Tricks
  • Smart Home Security
  • Digital Privacy
    • Digital Identity
    • Good Practices
    • Data Breach Alerts
  • Work from Home: Safety Tips
  • The ABC of Cybersecurity
  • Security Videos
HOTforSecurity
  • Home
  • Threats
    • Security alerts
    • Social Networks Security
    • Mobile & Gadgets Security
    • Tips and Tricks
  • Smart Home Security
  • Digital Privacy
    • Digital Identity
    • Good Practices
    • Data Breach Alerts
  • Work from Home: Safety Tips
  • The ABC of Cybersecurity
  • Security Videos
Ioana Jelea
    Share This!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • ReddIt
Alerts

To Hack or Not To Hack MSN Accounts

May 31, 2010
2 Min Read
A mass mail invitation to a suspicious

 

The e-mail marking the first step of this data harvesting scheme is very likely to go down in the history of cybercrime-generated fiction on human behavior – claiming that if you tell people something is illegal, they won’t do it. This is how the promised tool gets the thinnest of all legitimacy coatings: “This tool could be used by hackers to hack MSN password, it should not Windows Live password hacking is illegal! […]”.

Much like a wolf trying really hard to grow a thick coat of wool and develop a persuasive bleating technique, this tool is allegedly intended for “[…] the use of owners to hack their own MSN accounts […]” and for “forensic scientists”.

hack msn

Fig. 1 The “trust me, I’m not bad” initial message

Far be it from me the idea of preaching complete distrust in our fellow humans and their natural generosity! However, the logic of this message is quite puzzling. The final reference to the tool being valid for situations in which you are “[…] able to login without having to enter your password” adds to its sci-fi aura.

Such in-depth analysis of the meaning of every e-mail that you receive may not be your favorite pass time, but any claim to rendering password recover easier is quite hilarious in an age when you can never be too cautious about personal data theft.

Literary analysis aside, the promised tool is supposed to be downloaded using the link embedded in the message. And here’s when HackMsn.exe drops its mask and reveals that it’s a backdoor at heart.

Hack message virus

Fig. 2. The backdoor exposed.

Identified by BitDefender as Backdoor.Bifrose.AADY, this piece of malicious code affects Windows platforms. The malware injects itself into the explorer.exe process and opens up a backdoor that allows unauthorized access to and control over the affected system.

Moreover, Backdoor.Bifrose.AADY attempts to read the keys and serial numbers of the various pieces of software installed on the affected computer, while also logging the passwords to the victim’s ICQ, Messenger, POP3 mail accounts, and protected storage.

This is not the first campaign aiming to disseminate this piece of malware. You can find out the details of another scheme it’s been part of on the Malwarecity Blog.

This article is based on the findings of BitDefender security researcher Sabina Datcu. 

Tagsaccount hack live messenger MSN password windows

You may also like

Alerts

Cybercriminals Are Phishing For Login Credentials of AOL Users

2 days ago
Alerts • Digital Identity

How Bitdefender VPN Protects Your Digital Privacy and Data

3 weeks ago
Alerts • Digital Privacy

Fraudsters Build Up Phishing Repertoire for 2021 Tax Season. Are You Ready?

1 month ago

About the author

View All Posts

Ioana Jelea

Ioana Jelea has a disturbing (according to friendly reports) penchant for the dirty tricks of online socialization and for the pathologically mesmerizing news trivia. From gory, though sometimes fake, death reports to nip slips and other such blush-inducing accidents, her repertoire is an ever-expanding manifesto against any Victorian-like frame of thought that puts a strain on online creativity. She would like to keep things simple, but she never does.

iPad Phishing Scheme Advertised on Facebook
BitDefender Product Impersonated by Rogue AV
    Share This!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • ReddIt

Promo

1.3m
Fans
Like
▲ 5
104.8k
Followers
Follow
2.7k
Subscribers
Subscribe
18
Subscribers
subscribe
1.4m
Fans Love us

Recent shouts

  • Meurig Parri on Microsoft Ends Support for Windows 7. What You Need to Know
  • Kevin on Cable Haunt vulnerability affects millions of Broadcom cable modems
  • Terry on Ransomware attack forces Arkansas CEO to fire 300 employees days before Christmas
  • Martin on 1&1 Telecom GmbH hit by almost €10 million GDPR fine over poor security at call centre
  • Xander on 1&1 Telecom GmbH hit by almost €10 million GDPR fine over poor security at call centre

Time Machine

March 2021
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Feb    

ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE FOR HOME USERS

Bitdefender Cybersecurity for Smart Home
Bitdefender Complete Protection
Bitdefender PC Protection
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android
Bitdefender Product Comparison

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security
Bitdefender GravityZone Advanced Business Security
Bitdefender GravityZone Enterprise Security
Bitdefender Hypervisor Introspection

TOOLS & RESOURCES

Renewal for Business Customers
Trial Downloads
Free Antivirus
Free Online Virus Scanner
Free Virus Removal Tools
Live Remote Assistance
Free Tools
Bug Bounty
Press Center

Powered by Bitdefender - a leading cyber security technology provider | Copyright © 2008 - 2016. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • The Team
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok