QuantLoader

QuantLoader is malware that is associated with malicious advertising. Attacks involving QuantLoader received attention from PC security researchers in October 2017 and have persisted, since it still affecting computer users around the world. It seems that the victims of QuantLoader were being infected through the use of the RIG Exploit Kit, which takes advantage of known vulnerabilities in the computer users' software to install malware and force computer users to visit shady websites. The websites linked to QuantLoader have been spotted redirecting computer users towards advertisements associated with technical support tactics. This makes it likely that QuantLoader and associated malware attacks are connected to shady advertisements and unsafe advertising initially.

Some Issues Associated with QuantLoader

The QuantLoader infection tends to be the result of multiple redirects and various steps in a long tactic that is used to install unsafe software on the victim's computers. After the victim has been redirected to websites that install QuantLoader through the use of exploit kits, QuantLoader will be installed and make changes to the infected computer's settings. QuantLoader will make various unwanted changes to the Windows Registry and the Windows Firewall, allowing QuantLoader to communicate with its Command and Control servers and carry out its attacks. QuantLoader is a Trojan loader so that its purpose is to download other malware onto the victim's computers. QuantLoader can be used to install a wide variety of malware onto the victims' computers. In its most recent version, it seems that QuantLoader is being used to deliver FormBook to victims. FormBook is used to track the victims' keystrokes and activity on the affected computer and can be used to collect information and cause a wide variety of problems onto the victims' computers. Some variants of QuantLoader are being used to install variants of the ZeuS Trojan onto the victims' computers. ZeuS is well-known as a banking Trojan that can be used to take the victims' money and online banking credentials.

How the QuantLoader Attacks a Computer

Although QuantLoader has been reported since October 2017, widespread attention associated with QuantLoader occurred in December 2017. To distribute QuantLoader, the cybercrooks have managed to infiltrate legitimate websites with the RIG Exploit Kit, which can affect those sites' visitors. It seems that most of the affected websites were the result of leveraging vulnerabilities in the WordPress. The RIG Exploit Kit took advantage of vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash to carry out its attack. The result of this attack is the installation of QuantLoader, which itself downloads and installs FormBook onto the victim's computer.

Protecting Your Computer and Data from Threats Like QuantLoader

There are several measures you can take to ensure that your computer is safe from malware like QuantLoader, its associated exploit kits or the various banking and backdoor Trojans that can be installed as a result of a QuantLoader infection. PC security researchers strongly advise computer users to avoid shady websites that may feature unsafe advertising that is being used to carry out these attacks. Exploit kits associated with QuantLoader will tend to take advantage of vulnerabilities in software, particularly Adobe Flash in this case. Because of this, one of the best protection against these attacks is to ensure that all of your software updated with the latest security patches and protections. Apart from this, a security program that features real-time malware scanning can ensure that your computer is safe from these Trojans. A combination of common sense measures when browsing, strong security software that is fully up-to-date, and keeping your computer's security updates always up to date is the best way to ensure that you are not vulnerable to these infections.