What is Cracktivator software?
Summary: Cisco Talos coined the term "Cracktivator software" for counterfeit or modified software used to pirate Windows applications, co-opting Microsoft's key management service (KMS) to allow pirated keys. Talos research led by James Nutland found a notable majority of organizations using cracked software are in Europe, especially Eastern Europe, while North America's highest prevalence is in manufacturing and education and Asia Pacific's is in manufacturing and government.
Why it matters: Talos found remote access trojans and cryptocurrency mining malware commonly on systems running Cracktivator software, with adversaries bundling these threats into modified software as a method of initial access - and the user is typically unaware, since the pirated software looks and sounds like the real thing.
Read the original at Cisco Talos ↗
- Topics
- OT / ICS & Critical Infrastructure
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