The FBI and National Security Agency recently revealed that Russia’s military intelligence has built new malware targeting Linux systems. It is a clear indication that hackers are now changing the targets of their attacks.
The Russian hackers had already attacked Linux systems using a malware that was disclosed as Drovorub to accomplish some of their cyber spying operations. Drovorub enabled hackers to gain access to files and take over devices when they want to.
Linux has been a target in the past
This is not the first time that Linux is targeted by malware since other pieces of Russian malware have targeted Linux devices in the past. Some of these cases include the malware attacking IoT devices in 2019 and the VPN Filter malware in 2018, which was closely linked to the state-backed hackers from Russia.
Linux is not only targeted by the state-backed hackers. The latest revelation unpacks cases of password-stealing malware, which also acts as a threat to Linux users. The belief that malware targets Windows software alone is unfounded.
It is worth noting that any computer system associated with business could be a target, and the necessary precaution measures must be taken.
It is open season
The fact that the threats targeting Linux are still relatively few should not suggest that Linux is strong enough to defend its security. Many believe that Linux becomes hard to attack because of the open-source nature of the code, with the malware attacks being successful only on the old versions of the Linux kernel.
Drovorub should keep everyone alert that hackers are now targeting any system as long as they can gain something from it. Therefore, it is necessary for organizations, whether small or billion-dollar companies, to update their security and avoid complacency at all costs.
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