Steam Chat spreading dangerous malware

Yard Dart · Jan 2, 2015

For all you gamers out there that use Steam:

Most people know not to click on suspicious links from strangers, but suspicious links from friends are more of a marginal case. Malefactors are currently using Steam, Valve's popular PC gaming platform, to spread malware by hiding a nasty program in a supposedly innocuous screenshot that looks like it is coming from a trusted friend.

Security expert Graham Cluley shared the story, which one of his readers brought to his attention. The malware comes via Steam's built-in chat client and, in all likelihood, will appear to come from someone you know.

If you receive a message on Steam that reads "WTF?????" and links to a JPEG image called "screenshot," steer clear and inform your friend that he or she needs to run a virus scan posthaste. The link leads not to a strange picture, but rather to an executable SCR file.

Once clicked, the file will download and install automatically. This particular SCR file targets Steam, meaning it may be able to steal your login and financial information. At the very least, it compromises your Friends list and sends the malware-ridden "WTF" message to all of your contacts.

Worse still, only about half of antivirus programs seem capable of detecting the malware. While AVG, Malwarebytes, Kaspersky, Sophos and Symantec users are in the clear, those who rely on Microsoft, TrendMicro, Kingsoft or AegisLab are out of luck. The best solution for them would be to download the free version of AVG or Malwarebytes and run it with extreme prejudice.

This is not the first time that malware has targeted Steam users, suggesting that the platform is still not perhaps as secure as it could be. PC gamers should double-check with their friends before clicking on links that look out-of-the-ordinary.
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Steam chat spreading dangerous malware | Fox News

NotSoSneaky · Jan 2, 2015

I don't use Steam but my son does.

Passing the info on. Thanks.

VisuTrac · Jan 2, 2015

I'm with NotSoSneaky. Not me but VT jr.

DarkLight · Jan 2, 2015

Ditto but all three kids do. Sigh.

Motomom34 · Jan 3, 2015

What the three above said. Thanks for the heads up @Yard Dart, appreciate the help on keeping the kiddos safe.

Yard Dart · Jan 3, 2015

I did notice Steam was offline this morning..... maybe they are working on a fix.

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Steam Chat spreading dangerous malware

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Steam Chat spreading dangerous malware

Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

NotSoSneaky former supporter

VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

DarkLight Live Long and Prosper - On Hiatus

Motomom34 Monkey+++

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