Fake CCleaner installs GhostDesk Chrome spyware
Brief
A fake version of the popular PC cleaning tool CCleaner is being used to infect Windows users with a malicious Chrome extension called GhostDesk, which acts as spyware inside the browser.
With more than 2 billion downloads worldwide, CCleaner is one of the best-known Windows utilities, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals looking to distribute malware.
The attack starts with a website that is a convincing imitation of the CCleaner download page. Once installed, the fake application launches an attack that modifies Chrome, installs malicious extension components, and gives attackers the ability to steal credentials, capture screenshots, and log keystrokes.
The fake application likely uses the guise of a PC cleaner to make its file and system activity appear less suspicious.