FBI warns of time-traveling hackers

Cybercriminals are always finding new ways to scam individuals, and the latest technique involves a “time-traveling” strategy to bypass security measures. This method does not involve actual time travel but rather manipulating a system’s internal clock to circumvent security defenses. The FBI has issued an alert regarding this sophisticated cyberattack, which is being used by hackers associated with the Medusa ransomware gang.

In this type of attack, hackers exploit expired security certificates by altering the system date on a targeted device to a time when those certificates were still valid. For example, if a security certificate expired in 2020, it could be made usable again by setting the system’s clock back to 2019. This allows malicious software signed with these outdated certificates to be recognized as legitimate by the system, essentially “traveling back in time” from a security perspective.

The Medusa ransomware attacks, which targeted critical infrastructure, prompted the FBI cybersecurity advisory earlier this year. This campaign has affected over 300 critical infrastructure targets, combining the time-traveling technique with social engineering and unpatched vulnerabilities to amplify the threat.

The FBI has warned that these attacks pose a significant risk as they can disable modern security protections like Windows Defender by tricking the system into accepting outdated drivers or software. To stay safe from Medusa malware and similar threats, here are five ways to protect yourself:

1. Use strong antivirus software to detect phishing links, block malicious downloads, and stop ransomware.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all services, especially high-value targets like webmail accounts.
3. Use strong, unique passwords and consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
4. Monitor for suspicious system time changes and use tools to flag and log these shifts.
5. Keep systems updated and patch known vulnerabilities to prevent exploitation by cybercriminals.

The Medusa attack highlights the evolving tactics of cybercriminals who are now targeting basic system logic to breach security measures. Technology companies can better support individual users by providing robust security features, educating users on best practices, and ensuring timely software updates to address vulnerabilities.

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