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Windows users?
Your computer is at risk due to a wireless network sharing feature
Researchers at the Israeli cyber company Safebrich have identified a new method of spreading a virus that is made possible by physical proximity between computers.
The loophole is used by Bluetooth and Wifi Nearby sharing software in Windows.
This is how you can protect your computer
Tags
Loophole
Cyber
Mikey Levy
Sunday, 27 September 2020, 10:32
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The research team at the Israeli cyber company SafeBreach, which develops a platform for simulations of attacks and cyber intrusions into organizations, while providing a complete visual interface for mapping risks and breaches (BAS);
Identified a new method of virus spread made possible by physical proximity between computers.
The research team was able to take advantage of a built-in mechanism in the Windows 10 operating system designed to share files between computers that are physically close to each other by using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (Nearby Sharing), in order to demonstrate the existing threat in the mechanism.
"This is a particularly relevant scenario these days when many companies have moved to a work-from-home model, and employees in different companies may be in the same physical work environment (for example: roommates, spouses), allowing the worm to spread between different companies' computer networks." Said Peleg Hadar, a senior researcher at Safebrich.
This is a threat where when a person shares a file with another person, a "worm" virus can spread independently on the computer and cause a lot of damage, while the same worm can continue to spread and infect other computers even if they do not belong to the same organization by being physically close.
This is a social engineering attack (similar to Phishing Email) that is unfamiliar to users, so the chances of them being harmed are higher.
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"This is a particularly relevant scenario these days when many companies have moved to a work-from-home model" (Photo: ShutterStock)
The Cyberwich research team has found a way to cause a malicious file to be sent automatically without the user having to take any proactive action on his part.
Therefore, the attack is possible after the user - the victim - after receiving a file from a user who is nearby, confirms the receipt of the file without knowing that it is damaged;
The file automatically and independently spreads and sends itself to other computers that are in physical proximity.
How can I protect your computer from the potential vulnerability?
Make sure the Nearby Sharing mechanism is turned off in the operating system
If the mechanism is active - do not confirm receipt of files from other computers if the user does not know about a file he was supposed to receive
Remember, as a rule of thumb do not play files (of any kind) that are unfamiliar to the user
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