Cyber security experts: Emotet malware rampant again

Feb 16 (NHK) - Cyber security experts are warning that the resurfaced Emotet malware is spreading rapidly.

The Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center says the average daily number of Japan-based email addresses that may be compromised by the malware was around 70.

But the number has surged since late January, reaching 1,230 as of February 8.

That is close to the figure seen in September 2020, when infections were most widespread.

Emotet infects computers through files attached to emails. It steals the content of address books and other data, and sends fake emails to infect other devices.

Law enforcement authorities from Europe and several other countries announced in January last year that they had taken down the Emotet infrastructure.

But the malware was confirmed to be active again in November.

The center calls the situation an emergency.

It urges computer users not to open suspicious files even if they are sent from an address they know, and suggests they contact the sender to confirm if the messages are genuine.

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