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acronis Astaroth Banking Trojan Astaroth Trojan Cyber Security Cyberattacks Hacking WhatsApp Malicious Files messages

WhatsApp-Based Astaroth Banking Trojan Targets Brazilian Users in New Malware Campaign

 

A fresh look at digital threats shows malicious software using WhatsApp to spread the Astaroth banking trojan, mainly affecting people in Brazil. Though messaging apps are common tools for connection, they now serve attackers aiming to steal financial data. This method - named Boto Cor-de-Rosa by analysts at Acronis Threat Research - stands out because it leans on social trust within widely used platforms. Instead of relying on email or fake websites, hackers piggyback on real conversations, slipping malware through shared links. 
While such tactics aren’t entirely new, their adaptation to local habits makes them harder to spot. In areas where nearly everyone uses WhatsApp daily, blending in becomes easier for cybercriminals. Researchers stress that ordinary messages can now carry hidden risks when sent from compromised accounts. Unlike older campaigns, this one avoids flashy tricks, favoring quiet infiltration over noise. As behavior shifts online, so do attack strategies - quietly, persistently adapting. 

Acronis reports that the malware targets WhatsApp contact lists, sending harmful messages automatically - spreading fast with no need for constant hacker input. Notably, even though the main Astaroth component sticks with Delphi, and the setup script remains in Visual Basic, analysts spotted a fresh worm-style feature built completely in Python. Starting off differently this time, the mix of languages shows how cyber attackers now build adaptable tools by blending code types for distinct jobs. Ending here: such variety supports stealthier, more responsive attack systems. 

Astaroth - sometimes called Guildma - has operated nonstop since 2015, focusing mostly on Brazil within Latin America. Stealing login details and enabling money scams sits at the core of its activity. By 2024, several hacking collectives, such as PINEAPPLE and Water Makara, began spreading it through deceptive email messages. This newest push moves away from that method, turning instead to WhatsApp; because so many people there rely on the app daily, fake requests feel far more believable. 

Although tactics shift, the aim stays unchanged. Not entirely new, exploiting WhatsApp to spread banking trojans has gained speed lately. Earlier, Trend Micro spotted the Water Saci group using comparable methods to push financial malware like Maverick and a version of Casbaneierio. Messaging apps now appear more appealing to attackers than classic email phishing. Later that year, Sophos disclosed details of an evolving attack series labeled STAC3150, closely tied to previous patterns. This operation focused heavily on individuals in Brazil using WhatsApp, distributing the Astaroth malware through deceptive channels. 

Nearly all infected machines - over 95 percent - were situated within Brazilian territory, though isolated instances appeared across the U.S. and Austria. Running uninterrupted from early autumn 2025, the method leaned on compressed archives paired with installer files, triggering script-based downloads meant to quietly embed the malicious software. What Acronis has uncovered fits well with past reports. Messages on WhatsApp now carry harmful ZIP files sent straight to users. Opening one reveals what seems like a safe document - but it is actually a Visual Basic Script. Once executed, the script pulls down further tools from remote servers. 

This step kicks off the full infection sequence. After activation, this malware splits its actions into two distinct functions. While one part spreads outward by pulling contact data from WhatsApp and distributing infected files without user input, the second runs hidden, observing online behavior - especially targeting visits to financial sites - to capture login details. 

It turns out the software logs performance constantly, feeding back live updates on how many messages succeed or fail, along with transmission speed. Attackers gain a constant stream of operational insight thanks to embedded reporting tools spotted by Acronis.
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Ransomwares
acronis AI cyberattacks AI technology Cyber Defenses Cyber Security Cybersecurity Threats Indian Cyber Security Malwares Phishing Attacks Ransomwares

India Most Targeted by Malware as AI Drives Surge in Ransomware and Phishing Attacks

 

India has become the world’s most-targeted nation for malware, according to the latest report by cybersecurity firm Acronis, which highlights how artificial intelligence is fueling a sharp increase in ransomware and phishing activity. The findings come from the company’s biannual threat landscape analysis, compiled by the Acronis Threat Research Unit (TRU) and its global network of sensors tracking over one million Windows endpoints between January and June 2025. 

The report indicates that India accounted for 12.4 percent of all monitored attacks, placing it ahead of every other nation. Analysts attribute this trend to the rising sophistication of AI-powered cyberattacks, particularly phishing campaigns and impersonation attempts that are increasingly difficult to detect. With Windows systems still dominating business environments compared to macOS or Linux, the operating system remained the primary target for threat actors. 

Ransomware continues to be the most damaging threat to medium and large businesses worldwide, with newer criminal groups adopting AI to automate attacks and enhance efficiency. Phishing was found to be a leading driver of compromise, making up 25 percent of all detected threats and over 52 percent of those aimed at managed service providers, marking a 22 percent increase compared to the first half of 2024. 

Commenting on the findings, Rajesh Chhabra, General Manager for India and South Asia at Acronis, noted that India’s rapidly expanding digital economy has widened its attack surface significantly. He emphasized that as attackers leverage AI to scale operations, Indian enterprises—especially those in manufacturing and infrastructure—must prioritize AI-ready cybersecurity frameworks. He further explained that organizations need to move away from reactive security approaches and embrace behavior-driven models that can anticipate and adapt to evolving threats. 

The report also points to collaboration platforms as a growing entry point for attackers. Phishing attempts on services like Microsoft Teams and Slack spiked dramatically, rising from nine percent to 30.5 percent in the first half of 2025. Similarly, advanced email-based threats such as spoofed messages and payload-less attacks increased from nine percent to 24.5 percent, underscoring the urgent requirement for adaptive defenses. 

Acronis recommends that businesses adopt a multi-layered protection strategy to counter these risks. This includes deploying behavior-based threat detection systems, conducting regular audits of third-party applications, enhancing cloud and email security solutions, and reinforcing employee awareness through continuous training on social engineering and phishing tactics. 

The findings make clear that India’s digital growth is running parallel to escalating cyber risks. As artificial intelligence accelerates the capabilities of malicious actors, enterprises will need to proactively invest in advanced defenses to safeguard critical systems and sensitive data.
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threat report
acronis Cyber Security Malware. phishing threat report

Acronis reports India to be third highest in terms of Malware attacks, after US and Japan

Acronis, a Switzerland based IT and cybersecurity company surveyed 3,400 IT managers from 17 countries across four continents: Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK, and the US from both private and public sector. Their report investigates the increase/decrease of cyber attacks and cyber readiness of companies during covid-19 as in their own words, "the COVID-19 pandemic has crippled businesses worldwide".

According to their report, India was the third highest country in the number of malware attacks, after the U.S and Japan between the months' March to November. Of 1000 clients, 1168 attacks were detected in India in a month. 

 Acronis found that during the switch from office to remote work, weak points in cybersecurity were revealed, mainly 1) exposed servers (RDP, VPN, Citrix, DNS, etc.), 2) weak authentication techniques, and 3) insufficient monitoring.

 The companies increased their expenditure on IT (72% of organizations reported increases in their IT expenditure) but still faced difficulties with adjustments from office to remote work. 

 When it comes to security concerns vast vulnerabilities were noticed in monitoring phishing problems, lack of expertise in a cloud solution, and video conferencing attacks as the cybersecurity protocols placed are just up to par but not really updated with the latest threats and needs. 

 “The cyber threat landscape has changed dramatically during the past few years, and in the last six months in particular. Traditional stand-alone antivirus and backup solutions are unable to protect against modern cyberthreats,” said Serguei “SB” Beloussov, founder and CEO of Acronis. 

 Most of the attacks faced by organizations were phishing (53.4%), DDoS (44.9%), Video Conferencing (39.5%), and Malware (22.2%). The rate of phishing attacks, the reports say is because of the lack of active action taken against them as only 2% of organizations use URL filtering protocols, and India, Switzerland, Canada, and the UK were among the most affected by video conferencing attacks.
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