Saturday, July 12, 2025
24.2 C
Lagos

NCC-CSIRT Warns of Pirated YouTube Software-related Malware

The Nigerian Communications Commission’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) has warned those looking to acquire pirated software and resources that they risk becoming victims of cybercriminal gangs that are using AI-generated YouTube videos to distribute malware.

NCC-CSIRT further warned in its advisory that the consequences of falling victim can be significant for individuals and organisations, resulting in critical damage like data theft, financial loss, identity theft, system damage, and reputation damage.

It said unsuspecting victims who watch these AI-generated tutorial videos will be duped into clicking on one of the links in the video description, which usually results in the download of data-stealing malware. The number of YouTube videos containing such links has increased by 200-300% months on month since November 2022.

According to the advisory, “to stimulate the interest of potential victims, video tutorials on how to pirate sought-after software such as AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, and other similar paid-for software are created. These videos are created with AI and feature humans with facial features that research has shown other humans find trustworthy. The tutorials in these videos are frequently bogus and steer viewers to links in the description that led to information-stealing malware like Raccoon, Vidar, and RedLine,” the advisory revealed.

Malicious actors can create AI-generated videos that include hidden or disguised malware. These videos may appear to be harmless or even entertaining, but they can contain malicious code that can infect a viewer’s device when the video is downloaded or played.

Cybercriminal actors can also use AI-generated videos to trick viewers into downloading malware. For example, they can create a video that appears to be a legitimate software update or security patch, but it contains malware that infects the viewer’s device.

They equally use AI-generated videos to distribute phishing scams. They can create a video that appears to be from a legitimate company or organisation and prompts viewers to click on a link to enter their login credentials or personal information. Once the viewer clicks on the link, they are directed to a fake website that steals their information.

Additionally, malicious actors can use AI-generated videos to distribute ransomware. They can create a video that appears to be harmless, but when the viewer clicks on a link or downloads a file associated with the video, their device becomes infected with ransomware that locks them out of their files and demands payment to regain access.

NCC-CSIRT said that to avoid becoming a victim, telecom consumers should avoid downloading pirated software because they are generally harmful and illegal.

Furthermore, the advisory recommends installation of antivirus software with internet security and keeping it up to date, installing an Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solution that is comprehensive and thinking before clicking any link.

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Fidelity Bank Delivers Hope to Internally Displaced Persons in Benue State

Team Lead, CSR, Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka (Left);...

Union Bank Responds to Court Ruling on NICON, Global Fleet, Jimoh Ibrahim Case

Union Bank of Nigeria acknowledges the recent judgment of...

NAICOM, CIIN Laud IMT for Advancing Tech-Driven Insurance in Nigeria

The Commissioner for Insurance (CFI) and the CEO of...

NCDMB Unveils Nigerian Content Fund Certificate, Empowers 130 firms with $400m NCI Fund

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has introduced...

Local Content, NCDMB on the Spotlight at 2025 NOG Conference

The recently held 2025 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG)...

Topics

West Africa Needs Advanced Mobile Infrastructure, says IBM Nigeria Boss

Increased investments in relevant new technologies like mobile, cloud and big data analytics that offer advanced solutions and services are essential for West Africa’s socio-economic development. In practically all sectors of the regional economy, these advanced technologies allow economies and companies to ensure the integrity of their data assets, providing them with hitherto unseen levels of data mining capabilities which, allows them to derive fresh insights and business intelligence from these data. These salient points were made recently by Taiwo Otiti, Country General Manager for IBM West Africa, on the sidelines of the HR Leaders Africa Summit held recently in Lagos.

NLNG Science Quiz Competition 2025: Community Secondary School, Igboh Etche, Emerge Winner

Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s GM, External Relations & Sustainable Development,...

Heirs Holdings Raises Pay for Staff in Celebration of Workers’ Day

Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, just made...

Leadway Group Sponsors +234Art Fair for Second-Year Running

Leadway Group, one of Nigeria's foremost non-banking financial services...

NCDMB ES Visits Pipe Coating Firms, Pledges Support for Local Capacities

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has...

Cyber-security Tops Agenda at CTO Conference

Engr. Shola Taylor, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation...

Stanbic IBTC Bank Shows Determination to Support Agro-allied Economy

Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, a member of Standard Bank...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img