A recently-identified cyberattack named SpectralViper has taken aim at computer systems operated by major companies and individuals in Vietnam, according to Vietnamese cybersecurity corporation Bkav.

On Thursday, Bkav released statistics indicating that 10 percent of computers in Vietnam, or about 1.5 million machines, are vulnerable to the SpectralViper virus.

Bkav reported that, by exploiting a vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows operating system, hackers can infiltrate the system and utilize SpectralViper as a backdoor, enabling them to establish a persistent connection with the compromised device. 

Once inside, they can proceed with malicious activities, including executing harmful code and illicitly accessing sensitive data.

According to Nguyen Tien Dat, director of Bkav’s malware research center, SpectralViper works similarly to the WannaCry virus, which rapidly infected over 300,000 computers globally in 2017.

“In 2018, a significant number of computers in Vietnam, approximately 735,000, fell victim to the W32.CoinMiner malware, which exploited the mentioned vulnerability to mine virtual currencies,” Dat said.

“Despite multiple warnings, the presence of this vulnerability persists in around 10 percent of computers in Vietnam.”

Bkav advises users to promptly install the latest patch by accessing Windows Update, then progress to checking for updates. 

It also recommended urgently backing up important data as a precautionary measure.

For organizations and businesses, deploying additional network security monitoring solutions like firewalls and a security operations center (SOC) is necessary. 

These steps enable the timely detection of any abnormalities for prompt response and resolution.

Furthermore, it is advisable to seek assistance from specialized network security units to conduct a comprehensive review of the entire system, including servers, workstations, and cloud systems, in order to completely eliminate any malicious code.

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