{"id":108022,"date":"2020-10-25T05:00:47","date_gmt":"2020-10-25T12:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"\/blogs\/?p=108022"},"modified":"2025-08-29T01:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T08:00:00","slug":"trick-or-treat-avoid-these-spooky-threats-this-halloween","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/trick-or-treat-avoid-these-spooky-threats-this-halloween\/","title":{"rendered":"Trick or Treat: Avoid These Spooky Threats This Halloween"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trick or Treat: Avoid These Spooky Threats This Halloween<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Spooky\u00a0season is among us, and ghosts and goblins aren\u2019t the only things hiding in the shadows. Online threats are also lurking in the darkness, preparing to haunt devices and cause some hocus pocus for unsuspecting users. This Halloween season, researchers have found virtual zombies and witches among us \u2013 a new trojan that rises from the dead no matter how many times it\u2019s deleted and malicious code that casts an evil spell to steal users\u2019 credit card data.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s unlock the mystery of these threats so you can avoid cyber-scares and continue to live your online life free from worry.<\/p>\n

Zombie Malware Hides in the Shadows<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Just like zombies, malware can be a challenge to destroy. Oftentimes, it requires a user to completely wipe their device by backing up files, reinstalling the operating system, and starting from scratch. But what if this isn\u2019t enough to stop the digital walking dead from wreaking havoc on your device?<\/p>\n

Recently, a new type of Trojan has risen from the dead to haunt users no matter how many times it\u2019s deleted. This zombie-like malware attaches itself to a user\u2019s Windows 10 startup system, making it immune to system wipes since the malware can\u2019t be found on the device\u2019s hard drive. This stealthy malware hides on the device\u2019s motherboard and creates a Trojan file that reinstalls the malware if the user tries to remove it. Once it sets itself up in the darkness, the malware scans for users\u2019 private documents and sends them to an unknown host, leaving the user\u2019s device in a ghoulish state.<\/p>\n

Cybercriminals Leave Credit Card Users Spellbound<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A malware misfortune isn\u2019t the only thing that users should beware of this Halloween. Cybercriminals have also managed to inject malicious code into a wireless provider\u2019s web platform, casting an evil spell to steal users\u2019 credit card data. The witches and warlocks allegedly responsible for casting this evil spell are part of a Magecart spin-off group that\u2019s known for its phishing prowess.\u00a0 To pull off this attack, they plated a credit card skimmer onto the wireless provider\u2019s checkout page. This allowed the hackers to exfiltrate users\u2019 credit card data whenever they made a purchase \u2013 a spell that\u2019s difficult to break.<\/p>\n

Why These Cyberspooks Are Emerging <\/strong><\/h3>\n

While these threats might seem like just another Halloween trick, there are other forces at play. According to McAfee\u2019s Quarterly Threats Report from July 2020<\/a>, threats like malware phishing and trojans have proven opportunistic for cybercriminals as users spend more and more time online \u2013 whether it be working from home<\/a>, distance learning<\/a>, or connecting with friends and loved ones. In fact, McAfee Labs observed 375 threats per minute in Q1 2020 alone.<\/p>\n

So, as hackers continue to adapt their techniques to take advantage of users spending more time online, it\u2019s important that people educate themselves on emerging threats so they can take necessary precautions and live their digital lives free from worry.<\/p>\n

How to Stay Protected<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent these threats from haunting your digital life. Follow these tips to keep cybersecurity tricks at bay this spooky season:<\/p>\n

Beware of emails from unknown senders<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Zombie malware is easily spread by phishing, which is when scammers try to trick you out of your private information or money. If you receive an email from an unknown user, it\u2019s best to proceed with caution.\u00a0Don\u2019t click on any links or open any attachments in the email and delete the message altogether.<\/p>\n

Review your accounts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Look over your credit card accounts and bank statements often to check whether someone is fraudulently using your financial data \u2013 you can even sign up for transaction alerts that your bank or credit card company may provide. If you see any charges that you did not make, report it to the authorities immediately.<\/p>\n

Use a comprehensive security solution<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Add an extra layer of protection with a security solution like McAfee\u00ae Total Protection<\/a> to help safeguard your digital life from malware and other threats. McAfee Total Protection also includes McAfee\u00ae WebAdvisor<\/a> \u2013 web protection that enables users to sidestep attacks before they happen with clear warnings of risky websites, links, and files.<\/p>\n