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Hackers Hide Malware on Blockchains
22 Sep
Summary
- Malicious blockchain activity surged 440% recently.
- AI tools lower technical barriers for hackers.
- Defenders struggle to block traffic without disrupting services.
Hackers are now leveraging public blockchains, including Bitcoin, BNB Chain, and Polygon, to store malware instructions. This advanced technique allows them to maintain command and control over compromised systems even after conventional servers are taken offline.
Recent data indicates a staggering 440% increase in malicious blockchain activity, with daily instances rising significantly. This surge is partly attributed to the emergence of AI systems that reduce the technical expertise required to build such resilient malware infrastructure.
Attributed to groups linked to North Korea and Iran, as well as Russian-speaking cybercriminals, these operations utilize various blockchains. They embed encoded data within transactions or smart contracts, allowing infected machines to retrieve commands and updated information securely.
This evolving threat landscape presents considerable difficulties for cybersecurity defenders. Blocking the associated blockchain traffic risks disrupting essential legitimate cryptocurrency services, including wallets and decentralized applications, on a global scale.
