If you ever needed validation for NOT playing poker online this nasty piece of software will sway you. An online tool that claims that it can calculate the amount of money raked in by online sites turns out to be nothing more than an avenue for a rootkit.
The rakeback calculator RBCalc.exe, which was distributed on gaming site Checkraised.com, creates a backdoor into users’ computers to covertly store gamblers’ information.
The program silently drops four executable files into the player’s system and uses a rootkit driver to conceal the operation.
The tool’s author could then steal log-in information for various online poker websites including Partypoker.com, Empirepoker, Eurobetpoker and Pokernow. Having gained access, the hacker could then empty the compromised account by playing poker against themselves and losing on purpose.
Now, don’t get me wrong. If you want to play poker with your buddies, have at it. But, if you feel compelled to play online you do so at your own risk. This particular backdoor can be discovered by F-Secure’s Blacklight tool. The real rub here is that this malware was hosted by a legitimate website. Threats can be anywhere. Be aware, be prepared.
For those of you that need to break the gambling cycle here are some contacts,
- Problem Gambling Information and Referral Service
- Problem Gambling Program Sasketchewan
- Nova Scotia Problem Gambling Help Line
- For the other provinces see: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
- GamCare UK
- Responsible Gambling Council for links around the world
[tags]Poker, Online Poker, Gambling, Rootkit, Gambling Helplines[/tags]
