Researchers at Israeli cybersecurity company Voltiro have discovered that hackers are exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft Word and using it to illicitly mine the cryptocurrency monero. The team said the practice can not only exhaust a user's CPU, but leave the computer vulnerable to other malicious activities. Hackers can also "tailor" the video for the victim to make sure they are tempted to watch the entire clip while their computer's resources are thoroughly drained as long as the screen remains open. Voltiro said it privately contacted Microsoft about the issue but the company seemed unconcerned. Cryptocurrencies like Monero are used as payment methods for online games such as World of Warcraft or Minecraft.
Researchers at Israeli cybersecurity company Voltiro have discovered that hackers are exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft Word and using it to illicitly mine the cryptocurrency monero. The team said the practice can not only exhaust a user's CPU, but leave the computer vulnerable to other malicious activities. Voltiro said it privately contacted Microsoft about the issue but the company seemed unconcerned. Cryptocurrencies like Monero are used as payment methods for online games such as World of Warcraft or Minecraft.