'Dance of the Hillary' malware spreads through fake video files and documents.
Hackers use social media tactics and fake job offers to lure victims.
Users are advised to disable auto-downloads and avoid clicking on suspicious links.
Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, multiple reports suggest that Pakistan has launched a lethal malware known as Dance of the Hillary. This malware reportedly targets personal and financial information. Not only that, but Indian intelligence agencies have reportedly issued an alert, warning that this malware is being spread through popular social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and emails.
SurveyFor those unfamiliar, the Dance of the Hillary virus is sophisticated malware that spreads via video files or documents. If the user opens the virus-infected files, the devices will become infected, allowing hackers unauthorised access to sensitive information such as your bank account information, passwords, and even confidential files. With this, hackers can steal data, change system settings, or gain complete control.
Dance of the Hillary: How hackers are distributing the malware
The hackers are using social media tactics to spread malware. As a result, we advise you to disregard any fake job offers, misleading government notifications, WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, or other messages containing media or PDF files. If downloaded, the malware runs in the background, corrupting data and sharing it with hackers.
Dance of the Hillary warning issued:
India’s cybersecurity agencies have issued a warning to individuals to be extremely cautious of unsolicited messages or unfamiliar links. The authorities have also directed all departments to report any suspicious cyber activity immediately, and public awareness campaigns are underway.
How to Stay Safe from ‘Dance of the Hillary’ Malware:
This malware is extremely dangerous, but you can stay safe by following the steps listed below.
1. Turn off automatic downloads on all social media platforms. Do not trust any unknown contact numbers, particularly those with the prefix ‘+92’.
2. Report users who offer you prizes, job opportunities, or monetary benefits to sanchaarsaathi.
3. Create strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
4. Make regular backups of important files and closely monitor suspicious accounts.
5. Only trust official sources of information, such as government social media handles, the PIB, and other credible sources.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
