Omolosho Fatai
The Computer Security Incidents Response Team (CSIRT) set up by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the telecoms sector, has discovered two new separate cyber threats targeting Windows Platforms and routers.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the director, Public Affairs of the commission, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the first cyber threat is a ransomeware known as ‘Lokilocker’, which is capable of wiping data from all version of Windows systems or platforms and causes data loss, and denial of service, while the second cyber threat discovered by the NCC CSIRT is a Botnet that targets the Microtik version of Routers.
“Lokilocker is a relatively new ransomware that has been discovered by security researchers and belonging to the ransomware family. Lokilocker operates by encrypting user files and renders the compromised system useless if the victim does not pay the demanded ransom in time,’’ the statement said.
The statement also said that, to hide the malicious activity, the ransomware displays a fake window update screen, cancel specific processes and services, and completely disables the task manager, windows error reporting, machine firewall and windows defender of the compromised system.
It was noted that Lokilocker has in-built processes that prevent data recovery as it deletes backup files, shadow copies, and removes system restore points.
The statement added that ransomware overwrites the user login note and modifies original equipment manufacturer information in the registry of the compromised system.
However, NCC CSIRT states that “To protect against infections by LokiLocker and similar ransomware, the best rule is to always have a backup copy of your data, which should be stored offline.
“All downloads and email attachments should be opened with caution, even if they are from trusted sites or senders. Users should also ensure the attachments are scanned with an up-to-date antimalware solution, before opening.”
On Botnet, CSIRT noted thousands of routers from Microtik which have been found to be vulnerable are being used to constitute what has been named one of the largest botnets in history.
‘’This botnet exploits an already-known vulnerability, which allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read arbitrary files and authenticated remote attackers to write arbitrary files, due to a directory traversal vulnerability in the WinBox interface. The vulnerability which was previously fixed allowed the perpetrators to enslave all the routers and then rent them out as a service.
‘’The threat types emanating from the botnet include bypass authentication, data loss, denial of service, remote code execution, sniff password and unauthorized access. These situations result in dangers to victims of this cyber threat including malware distribution, mining cryptocurrency, thereby increasing the use system resources, remote code execution and data theft.”
To be protected against this botnet, NCC CISRT advised users to update or apply the latest patches to their routers early, set strong router passwords, disable the administration interface of the routers from the public, stay away from illegitimate or cracked software versions of legitimate applications, and use decent antivirus software with in-built web-filtering, and apply the latest patches as soon as they arrive.
