WinRAR users, beware! Hackers can gain unauthorised access to your computer

WinRAR happens to be one of most popular Windows PC apps. In fact, almost every PC or laptop user installs WinRAR to be able to extract .zip files. Recently, it was discovered that each and every version of WinRAR released in last 19 years includes security vulnerability. If exploited, it can allow hackers to gain unauthorised access to your computer. In what could be b news for WinRAR users, McAfee experts believe re are a hundred ways to exploit vulnerability and number is expected to grow bigger.

Here is what problem is:

A 19-year old security vulnerability discovered in WinRAR is capable of creating malicious RAR archives. When se archives are extracted, a malicious .exe file is quietly slipped into Windows’ Startup folder. So, whenever you boot into Windows, it will be automatically launched. Interestingly, se EXE files are given incent-looking names like GoogleUpdate.exe, explains Kaspersky.

Attacks try to lure victims into downloing malicious archive sent over email and unpack it onto ir computer. re are different ways hackers can lure you into installing se malicious files. For example, sometimes, y promise to share ult ims or job offer. Sometimes, hackers even alert you of a terrorist attack risk. In a nutshell, idea here is that se files don’t seem harmful.

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“In some cases, malefactors pretend to send some technical documents or inform you about recent changes to local legislation. Some even invite you to downlo a pirated copy of a hit album, for example, by Ariana Grande,” said Kaspersky in its blog post.

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paylo might differ. It can be remote access tools that allow hackers to capture your screen and uplo or downlo files to or from your device. It can also be banking Trojan and more. most recent example is JNEC.a. It’s a ransomware that locks all your files and demands a ransom in order to unlock m.

If you are a WinRAR user, here are some tips you can follow:

1. Update your WinRAR right away. Go to official WinRAR website, downlo version 5.70 or later.
2. Do t open any archives you receive from unkwn senders.