It seems a new form of ransomware infection is currently taking place.
In particular, this method seems to target people like me who run YouTube for a hobby or work, infecting them... It approaches users by guiding them as if they will be "sponsored" with famous products.
I received an email like this.
"MSI is releasing a new laptop, and they will provide sponsorship so you can try it out, so please consider it."
They sent me a link to a YouTube video where MSI actually provided sponsorship, telling me to refer to it.
Actually, in my case, I review IT products through my YouTube channel and receive quite a few sponsorships for new products, so I think, "Oh, I see."
Even back then, since I was quite interested in laptops, I thought, "What a great opportunity!!" and replied..
The email address of the person in charge was a bit sketchy.
Wait, why is the MSI contact address kakao.com?
Still curious, I sent a reply and waited for a response.
So, I sent an email like the one below. It has a PDF file attached, and you can download a list of products you can receive sponsorship for from the PDF file. (lol). And I downloaded a RAR file, but it says it doesn't work on a Mac environment. Why... doesn't it work?! And when did it become a RAR file..
Of course, since the file contains viruses and ransomware, you must absolutely not download it.
But I was curious, so I opened the PDF file.
They made a fairly convincing template, claiming it was under an NDA. If you have some work experience, you might be tempted by how carefully they prepared the materials. But... just downloading and opening the PDF file triggered suspicious records in the ransomware scan, so I ended up formatting my Windows and reinstalling it. ㅠㅠ I was so flustered since I hadn't used my Windows PC in ages.
Curious, I set up a Windows VM and tried everything: downloading the file, receiving the RAR file, and even unzipping it. But even when I clicked the executable inside, nothing happened. When I ran it through antivirus and ransomware detection programs, it showed that a lot of things were detected.
Conclusion: Ignore any sponsorship inquiries from foreigners via kakao.com.
I didn't want to make a separate post, but..
Recently, I received another sponsorship request via kakao.com email, and this time it was even from Canon.
Hehe..
Why does everyone use such good brains for such weird things..
I don't know why this can't be reported.
I pray that no YouTubers get tricked and suffer damage.