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Phorpiex

Also known as: Trik, Phorpix

Category: Malware

Type: Botnet

Platforms: Windows

Variants: WORM_PHORPIEX.CP, Worm.Win32.PHORPIEX.AB, Trojan.Win32.PHORPIEX.AB, Worm.Win32.PHORPIEX.AMM, Worm.Win32.PHORPIEX.AZ, Worm.Win32.PHORPIEX.ANC, Trojan.Win32.PHORPIEX.R06CC0DJU23, WORM_PHORPIEX.B, WORM_PHORPIEX.CY, WORM_PHORPIEX.C, WORM_PHORPIEX.WIL, WORM_PHORPIEX.VTT, LNK_PHORPIEX.YPA, VBS_PHORPIEX.YOP, WORM_PHORPIEX.DA, WORM_PHORPIEX.CII, TROJ_PHORPIEX.A, INF_PHORPIEX.A, WORM_PHORPIEX.D, WORM_PHORPIEX.YON.

Damage potential: Spam, phishing attacks, malware distribution, sextortion scams, cryptojacking, financial and reputational damage.

Overview

Phorpiex is a notorious malware that has been running since at least 2010 and is most prevalent in Mexico, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. It is mainly known for sextortion spam campaigns, cryptojacking, spreading ransomware (GandCrab), and cryptocurrency clipping. Though usually spread through malicious spam emails or exploit kits, hackers may also distribute it through outdated and unpatched systems. 

The Phorpiex botnet sends out various threatening messages to its victims, claiming to release compromising personal information unless they pay a ransom in cryptocurrency. This malware has also been associated with cryptocurrency mining. It is capable of hijacking system resources to mine Monero and other cryptocurrencies.

Possible symptoms

If your device becomes infected with Phorpiex, unusual network activity will likely be the first sign. You may notice your system sending out spam emails or communicating with command-and-control servers. This means your network traffic will increase, and you may receive complaints about spam emails from your account. Other possible symptoms of a Phorpiex infection include:

  • Your computer's performance slows down, crashes unexpectedly, or becomes unresponsive.
  • You notice cryptocurrency clipping when you copy a crypto address, but after pasting it, the address appears slightly different.
  • Network traffic increases, and you may notice unauthorized connections to your systems or changed browser settings.
  • Suspicious or unfamiliar processes in the Task Manager.
  • Your email address gets flagged for sending unsolicited emails.
  • You receive emails claiming to have compromising information about you and demanding cryptocurrency payment.
  • Changed or encrypted files on your computer.

Sources of the infection

Phorpiex usually sneaks into a user's device through phishing emails containing malicious links or attachments. When users open these emails, they unknowingly download Phorpiex onto their devices. This pesky malware also gains access to systems by exploiting outdated or unpatched vulnerabilities in the operating system or programs. Users may also accidentally download Phorpiex when visiting infected websites.

Protection

To protect yourself from Phorpiex, implement as many of the following tips as possible into your cybersecurity routine:

  • Update your programs. Keep your operating system and other software up to date. Patching system vulnerabilities is crucial to protect your data from Phorpiex and similar malware.
  • Use security software. Use advanced security tools like Threat Protection Pro™ that will protect you against phishing attacks, scams, and malicious sites and scan your downloads from malware.
  • Set up firewalls. Deploy firewalls to detect malicious traffic before it infects your device.
  • Implement email security. Set up spam filters on your email account and block malicious attachments.
  • Segment your network. Segment your critical systems so even if a hacker manages to break into one segment, they cannot move further into other parts of your network.
  • Educate yourself. Educate yourself about the most common phishing techniques and safe browsing.

Phorpiex removal

If you suspect that your device has been infected with Phorpiex, isolate it from the internet as soon as possible to prevent the malware from spreading further. Then, run a thorough antivirus scan and remove any malicious programs. Next, terminate any suspicious processes in the Task Manager. If you're familiar with malware indicators, inspect your system for files associated with Phorpiex and delete them.

If the malware persists, try restoring the system from a clean backup. If these steps fail, seek professional help. A cybersecurity specialist can help to restore your system with minimal downtime and data loss.