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Malware Targets Skype Users, Records Conversations (softpedia.com)

Posted by timothy on from the nosey-little-devils dept.

An anonymous reader writes: A new backdoor trojan is making the rounds, coming equipped with features that allow it to steal files, take screengrabs, and record Skype conversations. Currently detected targeting US organizations, researchers linked it to previous malware developed by a Chinese cyber-espionage group called Admin@338. Besides recording Skype conversations, the malware can also steal Office documents, and includes a complicated installation procedure that allows it to avoid antivirus software installed on the machine.

3 of 49 comments (clear)

  1. no need for malware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    It can already spy on you out of the box.

    On 10 November 2014, Skype scored 1 out of 7 points on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's secure messaging scorecard. Skype received a point for encryption during transit but lost points because communications are not encrypted with a key the provider doesn't have access to (i.e. the communications are not end-to-end encrypted)

    Chinese, Russian and United States law enforcement agencies have the ability to eavesdrop on Skype conversations, as well as have access to Skype users geographic locations. This ability was deliberately added by Microsoft after they purchased Skype in 2011.

    TL;DR = Skype is a privacy clusterfuck. It is already well and thoroughly backdoored. Adding another back door is akin to adding a second screen door to your submarine.

    1. Re:no need for malware by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Skype is a privacy clusterfuck. It is already well and thoroughly backdoored. Adding another back door is akin to adding a second screen door to your submarine.

      Skype is a security danger even if you don't have it running. You have to uninstall it.

      Possibly one of those cases when if you put a backdoor in "for the good guys", the bad guys will discover it and use it, in the end, decreasing security. Get rid of it, because even if you have nothing to hide, you're just opening your computer up to the world.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    2. Re:no need for malware by Antique+Geekmeister · · Score: 4, Informative

      It is also more effective on smart phones, tablets, and on multiple operating systems than most other voice tools. It's used regularly for business planning meetings when a telephone call is notably more expensive, especially for international teleconferences, and it's used for remote conferencing when a landline or cell reception does not work well. I've found it very effective noisy rooms, with a good pair of headphones and careful use of the "mute" button.