PRESS RELEASENAIROBI, Kenya , September 21, 2026 —Kaspersky's Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) has uncovered a sophisticated new multi-stage campaign targeting both individual users and organisations. The campaign relies on a previously unknown malware strain distributed through torrent trackers disguised as popular films, including The Odyssey. One of the popular public archives of torrent files was compromised and was then used to deliver the malicious payload. Several hundred victims have been identified in a multitude of countries, including Russia, Türkiye, Japan, Kenya, Uganda, and Colombia, as well as in several European countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and others. Victims already identified include organisations operating in the enterprise, government, IT, consulting, retail, transportation, and agriculture sectors. The campaign has been active since at least mid-August and remains ongoing. The attack itself is built as a multi-stage framework composed of several elements that work together at different stages of the intrusion. At the initial stage, the malware uses a loader capable of detecting antivirus sandboxes, which are isolated testing environments security products use to safely examine suspicious files. This allows the malware to determine whether it is being analysed and, if so, evade detection or hinder further investigation. Once active on a victim’s device, the malware deploys additional modules that expand its capabilities. These modules allow it to establish persistence, so it remains on the system after a reboot even after it has been terminated, bypass User Account Control (UAC) to gain administrator privileges in Windows without triggering the usual warning prompt and ultimately provide the attackers with remote access to the compromised machine. To retrieve the address of its command-and-control server, the malware uses the Solana blockchain. This gives the attackers a more resilient way to maintain control over their infrastructure and makes the campaign harder to disrupt through blocking or takedown efforts. “The campaign is notable for combining a common lure with a sophisticated technical design. By disguising malware as torrents for popular films, the attackers increase the likelihood that unsuspecting users will download it. Once launched, the multi-stage malware is designed to evade detection, establish persistence, and provide the attackers with remote access to infected devices. Users should be especially cautious with files downloaded from unofficial sources, as even seemingly harmless entertainment content can serve as a vehicle for compromise,” says Konstantin Isakov, security expert at Kaspersky GReAT. To stay safe Kaspersky recommends that users: Be cautious with downloads. It’s safer to install games and mods only from official sources or reputable websites. Unofficial sources may contain malware. Be cautious with downloads. It’s safer to install games and mods only from official sources or reputable websites. Unofficial sources may contain malware. Use a strong security solution, such asKaspersky Premium, on all computers and mobile devices. It will warn you about potential threats and prevent infection. Use a strong security solution, such asKaspersky Premium, on all computers and mobile devices. It will warn you about potential threats and prevent infection. Never disable antivirus or security tools to download any files or software. Never disable antivirus or security tools to download any files or software. Organisations are recommended to: Implement clear guidelines for the use of third-party software on work devices. Implement clear guidelines for the use of third-party software on work devices. Use all-encompassing solutions from theKaspersky Nextproduct line that provide real-time protection, threat visibility, and the investigation and response capabilities of EPP, EDR and XDR. Depending on your current needs and available resources, you can choose the most relevant solution within this product line and easily migrate to another one if your cybersecurity requirements change. Use all-encompassing solutions from theKaspersky Nextproduct line that provide real-time protection, threat visibility, and the investigation and response capabilities of EPP, EDR and XDR. Depending on your current needs and available resources, you can choose the most relevant solution within this product line and easily migrate to another one if your cybersecurity requirements change. Provide your InfoSec professionals with an in-depth visibility into cyberthreats targeting your organisation. The latestKaspersky Threat Intelligencewill provide them with rich and meaningful context across the entire incident management cycle and helps them identify cyber risks in a timely manner. Provide your InfoSec professionals with an in-depth visibility into cyberthreats targeting your organisation. The latestKaspersky Threat Intelligencewill provide them with rich and meaningful context across the entire incident management cycle and helps them identify cyber risks in a timely manner. If your company lacks cybersecurity expertise, adopt managed security services from Kaspersky such asCompromise Assessment,Managed Detection and Response, and/orIncident Response, which cover the entire incident management cycle – from threat identification to continuous protection and remediation. If your company lacks cybersecurity expertise, adopt managed security services from Kaspersky such asCompromise Assessment,Managed Detection and Response, and/orIncident Response, which cover the entire incident management cycle – from threat identification to continuous protection and remediation. Kaspersky security solutions detect the described malware. The full technical analysis is available onwww.Securelist.com. Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. Innovating the industry with a Cyber Immunity approach, Kaspersky safeguards consumers, businesses, critical infrastructure, and governments from cyberthreats, with over a billion devices protected to date. Kaspersky ensures Cybersecurity True to Business, focusing on providing clear outcomes, protecting revenue, easing workloads and preventing downtime. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services for organizations of every size, from small businesses to large enterprises, combining proven AI-driven protection technologies with simple management and expert support. Recognized in independent tests and trusted by millions of individuals worldwide and nearly 200,000 organizations, Kaspersky helps detect threats earlier, respond faster and operate with greater confidence and freedom, protecting what matters most to our clients. Learn more at (www.Kaspersky.co.za).