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Is your computer infected? Popular free software distributed malware to millions

CCleaner is available on Mac and Windows computers, as well as Android smartphones

Is your computer infected? Popular free software distributed malware to millions

CCleaner is available on Mac and Windows computers, as well as Android smartphones

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Is your computer infected? Popular free software distributed malware to millions

CCleaner is available on Mac and Windows computers, as well as Android smartphones

CCleaner, a popular program used to remove unwanted files from Mac and Windows computers and Android-based phones, was injected with malware by hackers and distributed to more than 2 million users last month.Malicious software was found inside CCleaner 5.33.6162 and CCleaner Cloud 1.07.3191. While only 5,000 people downloaded the impacted version of CCloud, 2.27 million installed CCleaner 5.33.6162 in August. Avast, which recently acquired CCleaner developer Piriform, released a virus-free version of the software last week. The Prague-based company said Tuesday that only 730,000 people are still using the infected version."For a period of time, the legitimate signed version of CCleaner 5.33 being distributed by Avast also contained a multi-stage malware payload that rode on top of the installation of CCleaner," said Cisco's cybersecurity division Talos. The malware could steal various types of data from devices, including IP addresses, network adapters and active software."The compromised version of CCleaner was released on August 15 and went undetected by any security company for four weeks, underscoring the sophistication of the attack," said Avast CEO Vince Steckler and EVP of Consumer Business Ondřej Vlček in a blog post. The company says it's working with law enforcement to identify the perpetrators behind the attack. Avast encourages anyone using CCleaner to upgrade to version 5.34 or higher, which will delete the backdoor code from their devices."Our first priority is our commitment to the safety and security of our millions of users, and supporting our new partner Piriform as they manage this situation," Avast said.CCleaner has been downloaded more than two billion times and is used by General Electric and the YMCA. The popular software is installed around 20 million times per month.

CCleaner, a popular program used to remove unwanted files from Mac and Windows computers and Android-based phones, was injected with malware by hackers and distributed to more than 2 million users last month.

Malicious software was found inside CCleaner 5.33.6162 and CCleaner Cloud 1.07.3191. While only 5,000 people downloaded the impacted version of CCloud, 2.27 million installed CCleaner 5.33.6162 in August.

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Avast, which recently acquired CCleaner developer Piriform, released a virus-free version of the software last week. The Prague-based company said Tuesday that only 730,000 people are still using the infected version.

"For a period of time, the legitimate signed version of CCleaner 5.33 being distributed by Avast also contained a multi-stage malware payload that rode on top of the installation of CCleaner," said Cisco's cybersecurity division Talos. The malware could steal various types of data from devices, including IP addresses, network adapters and active software.

"The compromised version of CCleaner was released on August 15 and went undetected by any security company for four weeks, underscoring the sophistication of the attack," said Avast CEO Vince Steckler and EVP of Consumer Business Ondřej Vlček in a blog post.

The company says it's working with law enforcement to identify the perpetrators behind the attack.

Avast encourages anyone using CCleaner to upgrade to version 5.34 or higher, which will delete the backdoor code from their devices.

"Our first priority is our commitment to the safety and security of our millions of users, and supporting our new partner Piriform as they manage this situation," Avast said.

CCleaner has been downloaded more than two billion times and is used by General Electric and the YMCA. The popular software is installed around 20 million times per month.