Steam Messages

By CagedTech in Fake Warning Messages

Threat Scorecard

Ranking: 5,958
Threat Level: 10 % (Normal)
Infected Computers: 3,150
First Seen: November 20, 2014
Last Seen: September 9, 2023
OS(es) Affected: Windows

Instant messages or emails urging computer users to open an embedded link are among the most common ways of distributing threats. PC security analysts have observed the rise of Steam Messages that may be used to deliver corrupted links through the Steam's chat feature. These links download and execute threatening EXE and SCR files onto the computer user's machine. Referred to as the 'Steam Messages Virus', these messages are caused by threats, usually a worm on the computer user's machine.

How Steam Messages may Affect Computer Users

The threat known as the Steam Messages Virus may message the computer user's contacts with messages that may say 'You will exchange this thing?' or 'Is this you in the photo?' or 'WTF Dude?', and may include a link. You should avoid opening this link! This link may lead to the installation of a harmful Trojan that may try to collect your passwords and other information. Security software can detect this Trojan as: Spyware.OnlineGames, Trojan.Crypt, Win32:Malware-gen and BehavesLike.Win32.Backdoor.fm or as a variety of other threats. Steam Messages is a relatively new threat, meaning that only about a fifth of active anti-malware programs are capable of detecting and removing threats associated with Steam Messages. PC security experts advise PC users to avoid the initial social engineering tactic that attempts to convince you to open the threatening link in the first place.

Trojan Infections Associated with Steam Messages

Trojans, short for 'Trojan Horse', are a type of threat infections that are used for a variety of purposes. These types of infections receive their name from the figure in the Greek literature due to the similarity between their attack and the strategy used to enter Troy. Much like the famed Trojan horse, Trojans are also disguised as legitimate or beneficial files or programs in order to enter a computer. However, once inside, they will deliver their payload that, instead of a horseload of soldiers, is corrupted code that may carry out attacks on infected computers. The Steam Messages Virus uses a similar approach, using file attachments that look like interesting pictures or similar components in order to trick inexperienced computer users into executing threatening code. When the computer user clicks on the corrupted link, an executable file runs automatically, installing threats on victims' computers.

Steam Messages Associated with Threats may Lead to Harmful Consequences

The main purpose of the Steam Messages Virus is to collect passwords, not only for Steam but also for other online services, financial transactions, credit card numbers and similar information. Once the Trojan is installed, it will wreak havoc on the infected PC. The Steam Messages Virus is merely a delivery vehicle that allows third parties to install threats on a computer. The delivered threat may be nearly anything but may be used to integrate computers into known botnets and gather login information and passwords.

Defending Your Computer from the Steam Messages Virus

Your first strategy to defend your computer from the Steam Messages Virus is to install an effective security program and keep it up-to-date. Computer users should run scans of their computers regularly and always stay updated on potential threats. They also should use common sense in order to safeguard themselves from social engineering strategies such as Steam Messages. Never open email attachments or links if you are not sure of their content and source. If you receive suspicious messages from friends or people on your contact list, take steps to make sure that they know that their computers have been compromised and avoid opening this type of content. In most cases, the messages are easily recognizable because they don't use specific information, may be poorly written and may be intended to induce affected users to click on a link or to download a file.

URLs

Steam Messages may call the following URLs:

https://feed.pdf-searchz.com/?q=

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