YouTube creators are being targeted by cybercriminals who blackmail them into promoting malicious crypto-mining malware, according to Kaspersky. This recent tactic involves coercing influencers by submitting false copyright strikes, claiming to be the original developers of tools discussed in their videos. Kaspersky identified a popular YouTuber who, under threat, added a malicious link to videos viewed over 400,000 times, resulting in over 40,000 downloads of the infected software. The malware, known as SilentCryptoMiner, is designed to mine several cryptocurrencies and can be controlled remotely by its creators. Kaspersky's research indicates that around 2,000 computers in Russia have been infected, but the actual number may be much greater due to other similar campaigns. Leonid Bezvershenko from Kaspersky highlighted the evolution of these tactics, emphasizing how criminals exploit the trust between creators and their audiences to facilitate large-scale infections. As the prevalence of crypto-mining malware continues to rise, users are urged to exercise caution when following online guidance and to verify the sources of downloads to avoid potential infections.

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