Eskimo malware discovered in Twitch chat

Eskimo malware discovered in Twitch chat

The virus installs a Windows binary file that hijacks the user's operating system and allows hackers to make purchases in Steam accounts.

A new malware has been discovered in the chat feature of popular live video gaming platform Twitch. Referred to as Eskimo by a security firm that first pinpointed it, the virus is hidden as a special prize kit that should be familiar to players of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the first-person shooter game.

If a user clicks on the link, a Java app opens and asks them to input their name and email address as well as requests permission to publish the winner’s name, according to the UK Register.

Instead, the malware, named Eskimo by Finnish security firm F-Secure Labs, which first discovered it, installs a Windows binary file that infiltrates Steam accounts on the host operating system.

The hackers controlling Eskimo then have access to the user’s information and can buy and sell items on the community market, accept new friends and conduct trades – all without their knowledge.

Twitch, owned by Amazon and counting some 55 million unique monthly users, is telling its users to avoid clicking links from unknown sources, according to BBC News.

“All this is done from the victim’s machine, since Steam has security checks in place for logging in or trading from a new machine,” F-Secure Labs said in an advisory statement.

A spokesman for Twitch told the UK Register that only one user has complained about the malware and doesn’t believe it is widespread, although it is taking precautionary steps. “Security PSA: Do not click the ‘csgoprize’ link in chat. This is a phishing attempt to install malware and compromise your Steam account,” Twitch technical support team tweeted.

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