Fake IT support sites push malicious PowerShell scripts as Windows fixes

Fake IT support sites push malicious PowerShell scripts as Windows fixes

June 30, 2024 at 10:35AM

Fake IT support sites are promoting malicious PowerShell “fixes” to infect devices with information-stealing malware, targeting common Windows errors like the 0x80070643 error. Threat actors are creating fake videos and sites, with YouTube channels being hijacked to add legitimacy. Users should be cautious and seek fixes from trusted sources to avoid falling victim to these online threats.

Based on the meeting notes, here are the key takeaways:

– Fake IT support sites are promoting malicious PowerShell “fixes” for the 0x80070643 error in Windows in order to infect devices with information-stealing malware.
– These fake support sites are being promoted through compromised YouTube channels to add legitimacy to the content creator.
– Threat actors are creating fake videos promoting a fix for the 0x80070643 error, which has affected millions of Windows users since January due to a security update released by Microsoft during the January 2024 Patch Tuesday.
– The Windows Update error message 0x80070643 is displaying incorrectly due to a requirement for the WinRE partition to have 250 megabytes of free space for the update to install.
– Expanding the WinRE partition is complicated or impossible for those whose WinRE is not the last partition on the drive, leading to many users being unable to install the security update.
– Threat actors have been observed creating numerous fake IT support sites specifically targeting the 0x80070643 error, tricking users into executing PowerShell scripts that ultimately install information-stealing malware.
– The malware can steal a wide range of sensitive information from the infected devices, posing a significant security and privacy threat.
– It is essential for users to download software and fixes only from trusted websites and to stay vigilant against unusual attack methods.

In conclusion, the meeting notes highlight the deceptive methods employed by threat actors to exploit common Windows errors and the importance of cautious and informed online behavior to mitigate the risk of malware infection and data theft.

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