Free Download Manager site redirected Linux users to malware for years
bleepingcomputer.com
A reported Free Download Manager supply chain attack redirected Linux users to a malicious Debian package repository that installed information-stealing malware.
The malware used in this campaign establishes a reverse shell to a C2 server and installs a Bash stealer that collects user data and account credentials.
Kaspersky discovered the potential supply chain compromise case while investigating suspicious domains, finding that the campaign has been underway for over three years.
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Now I need to know who the hell has installed Free Download Manager on Linux.
And via a website too. That's like pushing a car. One of the main strengths of Linux are open repositories, maintained by reputable sources and checked by thousands of reputable people. Packages are checksummed and therefore unable to be switched by malicious parties. Even the AUR is arguably a safer and more regulated source. And it's actually in there.
Everyone knows real admins do
curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/something/or/other/install.sh | sudo bashInstructions unclear, "command not found: 404".
The same people that would have given that poor nigerian prince their bank account details
It's still my favorite download manager on Windows. It often downloads file significantly faster than the download manager built into browsers. Luckily I never installed it on Linux, since I have a habit of only installing from package managers.
Do you know of a good download manager for Linux?
JDownloader, XDM, FileCentipede (this one is the closest to IDM, although it uses closed source libraries), kGet, etc.
And JDownloader is the more useful one for easier download from file hosters.
axel. use axel -n8 to make 8 connections/segments which it will assemble when it is done
Even with wget, wget -c can resume some downloads.
Gotta admit, it was me. I've only used a computer for short time.
I've got my first laptop 3 years ago, and that broke after just 2 months. And anyway, with AMD Athlon 64 it greatly struggled with a browser. So really I only started seriously using computer at the start of 2021, when I got another, usable laptop. And that's when I downloaded freedownloadmanager.deb. Thankfully, I didn't get that redirect, so it was a legitimate file.
Oh, I know someone who adds the word “free” to various search words like “free pdf reader” or “free flash player” (happened a very long time ago). He’s also the kind of person who I can imagine having a bunch of viruses and malware on his computer.
People not well versed in Linux.
You know, the non-techies, which the Linux community claims should know such things but obviously does not.
I once did.
Or what is Free Download Manager
I've installed and used it, and still do.
My internet connection is not that reliable, and when I download big files that are not torrents (say >1000 MB) and the download is interrupted because of internet disconnect, Firefox often has trouble getting back to it while FDM doesn't.
FDM also lets me set download speed limits, which means I can still browse the internet while downloading.
It's not my main tool for downloading stuff, but it has its uses.