Fireball ransomware

[Zefiroz]

A strain of Chinese browser-hijacking malware dubbed Fireball has infected 250 million computers. The malware takes over web browsers and turns them into zombies, security firm Check Point warns. Fireball is capable of executing any code on the infected machines, resulting in a wide range of actions from stealing credentials to dropping additional software nasties. Currently, Fireball installs plug-ins and additional configurations to boost its advertisements, but can just as easily turn into a prominent distributor for any additional malware. In its adware mode, Fireball hijacks and manipulates infected users' web traffic to generate ad revenue. Fireball spreads mostly via "bundling", which means it is installed alongside a program the user wants to download, but without their consent. The biggest proportion of infections are in India, Brazil and Mexico, but there are over 5.5 million instances of the nasty in the US.
The main firewalls still couldn't offer some tool against this threat, however the first treatments begin to appear sureshotsoftware.com/guides/get-rid-fireball-virus/

[Ed_P]

So why would a Fedora user post to a Porteus forum?

Sounds like SPAM to me.

[anajames]

I don't find this news true. The source looks fishy.