The Evolution of Discord Malware
There is a fairly linear relationship between the growth of Discord itself (especially amongst the gamer community) and the growing distribution of malware via this platform. The more popular Discord becomes, the more lucrative this platform becomes for malicious actors, as there is a larger base of users to target and profit from.
While Discord wasn’t instantly a target for malware distributors, the rise of this platform as a center for online gaming and communication quickly turned it into a target.
How Does It Work – The Role of Discord Bots in Malware
Communication platforms like Discord use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to allow their users to upload files without creating an internal burden on their systems. CDNs have allowed Discord to scale their services, permitting users to create and upload unlimited files and share them on the platform.
But, while this is a fantastic element for communication, it also provides malicious actors with an excellent opportunity for infiltration.
Malicious Links & Files
When malicious actors upload a file to the Discord CDN, the platform generates a link that takes a user to that file.
Instead of sending out files that will potentially be blocked by antivirus software, threat actors can send out an unassuming link that delivers the malware to the device.
Discord Bots
Some malicious actors also leverage the native bots that work on the Discord platform for nefarious uses.
By introducing mandatory verification questions that users must complete when entering a server, threat actors can gather sensitive information on a target that will help them with spear phishing attacks down the line.
By hacking into Discord accounts and editing moderator bots to deliver links that contain malware to communities, cybercriminals are also able to leverage the trust built up between communities to get people to click on nefarious links and download malware to their devices.
Recognizing Signs of Malware Infiltration
One of the signs that your computer may have malware on it is a sudden change in its basic functionality. Typically, malware will consume computer resources, either due to it aiming to rapidly exfiltrate data or, in some cases, if the device is being used as a bot for a DDoS attack or in a crypto mining operation.
In any of these scenarios, a user would suddenly see the speed of their device slow, taking much longer to open applications and run processes than in days prior.
For those who are more tech-savvy, you can also inspect your network activity…
If you notice spikes in activity when you’re not using the device or a sudden rise in resource consumption, you may not be the only one using your computer.
More obvious signs of a malware infection or device corruption are if your account is suddenly used to send out more malware phishing attempts. Often, people are more susceptible to opening a link from a friend they know, giving malicious actors the opportunity to send out more malware from your account to those in shared groups or on your friend’s list.
4 Infection Vectors for Discord Malware
There are several ways that Discord malware is distributed and infects devices:
- Discord Links: Some Discord communities are hacked by malicious actors that then change important links to those that redirect users to a page that downloads malware.
- Malicious Files: As discussed previously, some Discord malware is hosted on Discord’s Content Delivery Network, allowing hackers to send an unassuming file link via Discord that downloads malware when clicked on.
- Phishing Scams: Once a malicious actor has access to a Discord account, they may use a person’s profile to send out messages to their friend’s list. These messages may be typical phishing messages, but as they come from a friend, people are more likely to throw caution to the wind and click on them.
- Corrupted Installation Files: Another method that cybercriminals use to distribute Discord malware is altering the base Discord files that someone downloads. If a user has downloaded their Discord application from an unauthorized site or from fake files on the internet, they may have also unknowingly downloaded malware at the same time.
Strategies for Removing Malware
As soon as a user realizes or has suspicions that there is malicious software on their device, they should take the following actions:
- Turn off the Internet: While this may seem simple, disabling the Internet will stop many malware devices from communicating with their C2 server. Without this connection, malicious actors will be unable to deliver information and instructions to the malware.
- Revert to a Backup: If you have one available, revert to an earlier backup of your device to clear the malware and all related files from your computer.
- Scan for Malware: Using an anti-virus tool, scan for malware to detect any traces of the program and begin to remove it.
Uninstall Discord: Remove the application and all of its files. If you want to redownload it, do so from the official client page.
Malware Protection with Check Point
Due to its extreme popularity, Discord will likely remain a target for the foreseeable future. Instead of moving away from the platform, individuals can look for cybersecurity tools that help to protect them from malware and keep their devices out of harm’s way.
Malware protection solutions help identify malware before it can infect a device and block any malicious downloads from occurring. Check Point offers extensive device protection against all forms of malware, including those commonly distributed via Discord.
Check Point Harmony is a 360-degree protection service that utilizes state-of-the-art threat intelligence and prevention to monitor, detect, and prevent infection for user devices.
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