Technology
3,000+ YouTube videos deliver malware disguised as free software
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
YouTube is arguably the most popular and most visited platform for entertainment, education and tutorials. There’s a video for everything on YouTube, whether you want to learn how to cook, ride a bike or need help with work or school. But recent research by Check Point reveals a darker side: a sprawling malware distribution network quietly operating within the platform. Hackers are using compromised accounts, fake engagement and clever social engineering to spread information-stealing malware disguised in more than 3,000 software cracks and game hack videos.
Most victims begin by searching for free or cracked software, cheat tools or game hacks, which is the root of the infection chain. This curiosity for “free” software opens the door to the Ghost Network’s traps.
META ACCOUNT SUSPENSION SCAM HIDES FILEFIX MALWARE
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CyberGuy.com newsletter.
Cybercriminals are exploiting YouTube’s massive reach by disguising malware inside fake “how-to” and “free software” videos. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
All about YouTube’s ghost network
According to Check Point Research, the YouTube Ghost Network has been active since 2021, with activity surging threefold in 2025. It’s built around a simple but effective formula, which blends social manipulation with technical stealth. The network’s primary targets are people searching for “Game Hacks/Cheats” and “Software Cracks/Piracy.”
Researchers discovered that these videos often feature positive comments, likes and community posts from compromised or fake accounts. This coordinated engagement gives potential victims a false sense of safety.
The fake social proof and fabricated likes, comments and subscriber activity play a key psychological role. They trick viewers into believing the content is legitimate and widely trusted, allowing the operation to persist even when YouTube removes individual videos or channels. The network’s modular structure and constant replacement of banned accounts make takedowns only temporarily effective.
Once a user clicks the provided links, they’re usually taken to file-sharing services or phishing sites hosted on Google Sites, MediaFire, Dropbox or similar platforms. The linked files are often password-protected archives, making them harder for antivirus tools to scan. Victims are then asked to disable Windows Defender before installation, effectively disarming their own protection before running the malware.
Check Point found that the majority of these attacks deliver information-stealing malware such as Lumma Stealer, Rhadamanthys, StealC and RedLine. These programs harvest passwords, browser data and other sensitive information, sending it back to the attacker’s command and control servers.
What makes the network particularly resilient is its role-based structure. Each compromised YouTube account serves a function; some upload malicious videos, others post download links and a third group boosts credibility by commenting and liking content. When an account gets banned, it’s quickly replaced, allowing the operation to continue largely uninterrupted.
A single click on a malicious link can disable your defenses and install information-stealing malware in seconds. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Inside the malicious campaigns
Two major campaigns stood out in Check Point’s investigation. The first involved the Rhadamanthys infostealer, spread through a compromised YouTube channel named @Sound_Writer, which had nearly 10,000 subscribers.
The attackers uploaded fake cryptocurrency-related videos and used phishing pages on Google Sites to distribute malicious archives. These pages instructed viewers to “turn off Windows Defender temporarily,” assuring them it was a false alert. The archives contained executable files that quietly installed the Rhadamanthys malware, which connected to multiple control servers to exfiltrate stolen data.
The second campaign, involving HijackLoader and Rhadamanthys, leveraged a much larger channel, @Afonesio1, with around 129,000 subscribers. Here, attackers uploaded videos offering cracked versions of Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and FL Studio.
MICROSOFT SOUNDS ALARM AS HACKERS TURN TEAMS PLATFORM INTO ‘REAL-WORLD DANGERS’ FOR USERS
One of these videos gained over 291,000 views and dozens of glowing comments claiming the software worked perfectly. The malware was hidden inside a password-protected archive linked through a community post. The installer used HijackLoader to drop the Rhadamanthys payload, which then connected to rotating control servers every few days to avoid detection.
Even if you never complete the installation, you can still be at risk. Simply visiting the phishing or file-hosting sites may expose you to malicious scripts or credential theft prompts disguised as “verification” steps. Clicking the wrong link can compromise login data before any software is even installed.
Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular security scans are your best defense against YouTube’s Ghost Network. (Cyberguy.com)
7 steps you can take to stay safe from YouTube’s ghost network
The Ghost Network succeeds by exploiting curiosity and trust. It disguises malware as “free software” or “game hacks,” relying on users to click before thinking. Protecting yourself means adopting habits that make it harder for attackers to fool you. Here are seven steps to stay safe:
1) Avoid cracked software and cheat downloads
Most infections start with people trying to download pirated or modified programs. These files are often hosted on unregulated file-sharing websites where anyone can upload malicious content. Even if a YouTube video looks polished or filled with positive comments, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Official software developers and gaming studios never distribute downloads through YouTube links or third-party sites.
Besides being dangerous, downloading cracked software also poses legal risks. Piracy violates copyright law and can lead to serious consequences, while giving cybercriminals a perfect delivery channel for malware.
2) Use a strong antivirus
Make sure you have a trusted antivirus solution installed and always running. Real-time protection can detect suspicious downloads and block harmful files before they do any damage. Schedule regular system scans and keep your antivirus updated so it can recognize the latest threats.
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
WHAT REALLY HAPPENS ON THE DARK WEB, AND HOW TO STAY SAFE
3) Never disable your antivirus or Windows Defender
If a tutorial or installer tells you to disable your security software, that’s a red flag. Malware creators use this trick to bypass detection. There’s no legitimate reason to turn off protection, even temporarily. The moment a file asks you to do so, delete it immediately.
4) Be cautious with YouTube links and download sources
Always inspect links before clicking. Hover over them to check the destination and avoid shortened or redirected URLs that hide their true target. Downloads hosted on unfamiliar domains or file-sharing sites should be treated as unsafe. If you need software, get it directly from the official website or trusted open-source communities.
5) Use a password manager and enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Turning on 2FA for important accounts adds another layer of protection, ensuring that even if someone gets your password, they can’t access your account. Malware often aims to steal saved passwords and browser data. Storing credentials in a password manager keeps them encrypted and separate from your browser, making them harder to steal. Consider using a password manager, which securely stores and generates complex passwords, reducing the risk of password reuse.
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see CyberGuy.com) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at CyberGuy.com
6) Keep your operating system and apps updated
Software updates don’t just bring new features, but they also fix security flaws that malware can exploit. Enable automatic updates for your system, browser, and commonly used applications. Staying up to date is one of the simplest ways to prevent infections.
7) Use a trusted data removal service
Even after securing your system, your personal information might already be circulating online from past breaches. A reliable data removal service can continuously scan and request deletion of your data from people-search and broker sites, making it harder for cybercriminals to exploit your exposed information.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: CyberGuy.com
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Kurt’s key takeaway
Cybercriminals have evolved beyond traditional phishing and email scams. By exploiting a platform built on trust and engagement, they have created a scalable, self-sustaining system for malware distribution. Frequent file updates, password-protected payloads, and shifting control servers make these campaigns difficult for both YouTube and security vendors to detect and shut down.
Do you think YouTube is doing enough to stop malware distribution on its platform? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CyberGuy.com newsletter.
Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
For almost two hours last week, Meta employees had unauthorized access to company and user data thanks to an AI agent that gave an employee inaccurate technical advice, as previously reported by The Information. Meta spokesperson Tracy Clayton said in a statement to The Verge that “no user data was mishandled” during the incident.
A Meta engineer was using an internal AI agent, which Clayton described as “similar in nature to OpenClaw within a secure development environment,” to analyze a technical question another employee posted on an internal company forum. But the agent also independently publicly replied to the question after analyzing it, without getting approval first. The reply was only meant to be shown to the employee who requested it, not posted publicly.
An employee then acted on the AI’s advice, which “provided inaccurate information” that led to a “SEV1” level security incident, the second-highest severity rating Meta uses. The incident temporarily allowed employees to access sensitive data they were not authorized to view, but the issue has since been resolved.
According to Clayton, the AI agent involved didn’t take any technical action itself, beyond posting inaccurate technical advice, something a human could have also done. A human, however, might have done further testing and made a more complete judgment call before sharing the information — and it’s not clear whether the employee who originally prompted the answer planned to post it publicly.
“The employee interacting with the system was fully aware that they were communicating with an automated bot. This was indicated by a disclaimer noted in the footer and by the employee’s own reply on that thread,” Clayton commented to The Verge. “The agent took no action aside from providing a response to a question. Had the engineer that acted on that known better, or did other checks, this would have been avoided.”
Last month, an AI agent from open source platform OpenClaw went more directly rogue at Meta when an employee asked it to sort through emails in her inbox, deleting emails without permission. The whole idea behind agents like OpenClaw is that they can take action on their own, but like any other AI model, they don’t always interpret prompts and instructions correctly or give accurate responses, a fact Meta employees have now discovered twice.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Phishing emails are getting more convincing every day. Scammers copy the look of trusted brands and rely on urgency to get you to click before you think. But sometimes the most misleading part of a scam is not the email itself. It is the signal your own email app gives you.
A CyberGuy reader recently sent us a screenshot of an email that looked suspicious but included something surprising at the top. Apple Mail displayed a banner that said, “This message was sent from a trusted sender.” At first glance, that message feels reassuring. Many people would assume the email must be legitimate. The reader sent the screenshot with the subject line “Another sneaky trick.” In the image, Apple Mail labels the message as coming from a trusted sender even though the email itself shows several signs of a phishing scam.
Here is the catch. That label comes from Apple Mail itself, not from Apple and not from a system verifying the email. In other words, a phishing email can still appear trusted. Understanding how this happens can help you avoid handing your Apple ID or other personal information to scammers.
APPLE APP PASSWORD SCAM EMAIL WARNING
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
Scammers often copy Apple’s branding and use urgent warnings to push people into clicking malicious links. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)
Why Apple Mail may label a phishing email as a trusted sender
Apple Mail automatically adds the trusted sender banner in certain situations. It usually appears when the email address looks familiar to your device. For example, Apple Mail may display the banner if:
- The sender’s address is saved in your Contacts
- You have replied to that email address before
- The address appears in previous email conversations
The feature is designed to help you quickly recognize people you communicate with often. It is meant as a convenience signal, not a security verification. That distinction is important.
Warning signs of a fake Apple account email
Phishing emails often copy the look of real Apple notifications. The goal is to create urgency so the victim clicks before thinking. The email in the screenshot contains several classic warning signs.
Generic greeting
The message begins with “Dear user” instead of addressing the recipient by name. Legitimate account emails typically reference your name or Apple ID information.
Slightly incorrect branding
The email references “Cloud+ subscription.” Apple’s real service is called iCloud+. Small branding mistakes often appear in phishing campaigns.
Urgent scare tactics
The message warns that personal data could be permanently removed from cloud storage. Fear and urgency are common tools in phishing scams.
Payment problems tied to account threats
Scammers often claim a subscription payment failed and your account is at risk. The goal is to push victims to click a link and enter login details. Apple does not send emails threatening immediate deletion of iCloud data because of a billing issue.
Why the Apple Mail trusted sender banner can be misleading
Because the banner relies on familiarity, scammers can sometimes exploit it. Cybercriminals often spoof real email addresses so their messages appear to come from someone you know. If that address matches a contact or previous message history, Apple Mail may still mark it as trusted.
REAL APPLE SUPPORT EMAILS USED IN NEW PHISHING SCAM
That can create a false sense of safety. The banner simply reflects your email history. It does not confirm the sender’s identity or verify that the message actually came from Apple or any legitimate company. In some cases, that visual signal can make a phishing email look more believable than it really is.
The “trusted sender” banner in Apple Mail reflects your contact history. It does not verify that the email actually came from Apple or another legitimate company. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Ways to stay safe from Apple phishing emails
Phishing emails continue to evolve, but a few simple habits can greatly reduce your risk.
1) Avoid clicking links in account warning emails
If you receive a notice about your Apple account, open your browser and go directly to Apple’s official website instead of using the email link.
2) Use strong antivirus software
Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious links, suspicious downloads, and phishing pages before they reach your device. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
3) Use a data removal service
Scammers often gather personal information from data broker websites to make phishing emails look more convincing. Removing your data from these sites reduces the information criminals can use to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
4) Check your Apple account settings directly
You can verify subscriptions by opening Settings on your device, tapping your Apple ID and selecting Subscriptions.
5) Look closely at branding and wording
Misspelled product names, unusual formatting, and generic greetings often reveal a phishing email.
6) Enable two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer of protection, even if someone manages to steal your password.
Cybercriminals frequently disguise their emails by mimicking legitimate addresses, making it look like the message was sent by someone you trust. (Wei Leng Tay/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Email apps often try to help by identifying messages that appear familiar. Unfortunately, scammers understand how those systems work. The trusted sender banner in Apple Mail reflects your contact history. It does not confirm that the message came from Apple or any legitimate company. That means one simple habit still offers the best protection. Pause before clicking any urgent account warning. Because in the world of phishing scams, the messages that look the most convincing are often the most dangerous.
If your email app told you a message was trusted, would you still double-check before clicking? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
‘Nobody can blackmail us’: Leaders excoriate Orbán’s veto
Trump is dismantling democracy at ‘unprecedented’ speed, global report finds
3 Trades That Would Instantly Elevate Detroit Lions
San Francisco Ballet presents ‘Don Quixote’
Lake Dallas home explodes, 1 taken to hospital
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
‘Nobody can blackmail us’: Leaders excoriate Orbán’s veto
Trump is dismantling democracy at ‘unprecedented’ speed, global report finds
4 House Dems vote against Women’s History Museum bill over biological women-only amendment, Republican claims
Iran attacks cut 17% of Qatar’s LNG capacity for up to 5 years: QatarEnergy
Cursive is back. But should students be learning the skill?
-
Oklahoma5 days agoFamily rallies around Oklahoma father after head-on crash
-
Detroit, MI1 day agoDrummer Brian Pastoria, longtime Detroit music advocate, dies at 68
-
Nebraska7 days agoWildfire forces immediate evacuation order for Farnam residents
-
Georgia4 days agoHow ICE plans for a detention warehouse pushed a Georgia town to fight back | CNN Politics
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMassachusetts community colleges to launch apprenticeship degree programs – The Boston Globe
-
Alaska5 days agoPolice looking for man considered ‘armed and dangerous’
-
Colorado1 week ago‘It’s Not a Penalty’: Bednar Rips Officials For MacKinnon Ejection | Colorado Hockey Now
-
Southwest1 week agoTalarico reportedly knew Colbert interview wouldn’t air on TV before he left to film it