Imported from reason-machines/security-skills (skills/malware-analysis-warning/SKILL.md) via skills.sh. Install upstream with npx skills add reason-machines/security-skills --skill malware-analysis-warning. Copyright stays with the author.

Malware Distribution Repository Detection

Skill by ara.so — Security Skills collection.

⚠️ CRITICAL SECURITY WARNING

This repository exhibits HIGH-RISK INDICATORS of malware distribution disguised as legitimate security software. DO NOT DOWNLOAD, INSTALL, OR EXECUTE ANY FILES FROM THIS SOURCE.

Threat Indicators

1. Malicious Intent Signatures

• Offers "cracked" or "pre-activated" commercial security software
• Claims to provide license keys, keygens, or activation loaders
• Uses star inflation tactics (artificial GitHub stars)
• No legitimate source code in repository

2. Social Engineering Tactics

• Impersonates trusted security brand (Bitdefender)
• Uses technical jargon to appear legitimate ("heuristic-analysis", "rootkit-remover")
• Targets Windows 10/11 users seeking free antivirus
• Creates urgency with "Latest Build" and version numbers

3. Distribution Pattern

• Repository name includes "Crack" - immediate red flag
• No actual source code for security features
• Topics designed for SEO manipulation
• Missing README (common in malware repos to avoid detection)

What This Actually Is

This is a malware distribution vector that likely contains:

• Trojans - Remote access backdoors
• Ransomware - File encryption malware
• Infostealers - Credential/data theft tools
• Cryptominers - Unauthorized cryptocurrency mining
• Botnet agents - Device hijacking malware

Protection Guidelines

For Developers

// NEVER execute code from untrusted sources
// Example: Detecting malicious repository patterns

package main

import (
    "fmt"
    "strings"
)

type RepoRiskAnalysis struct {
    Name        string
    Description string
    Topics      []string
    HasReadme   bool
    RiskScore   int
}

func (r *RepoRiskAnalysis) AssessRisk() string {
    riskFactors := []string{}
    
    // Check for crack/keygen keywords
    if containsAny(r.Name, []string{"crack", "keygen", "loader", "activated"}) {
        r.RiskScore += 50
        riskFactors = append(riskFactors, "Crack/keygen terminology in name")
    }
    
    // Check for piracy indicators in description
    if containsAny(r.Description, []string{"pre-activated", "license key", "full version"}) {
        r.RiskScore += 40
        riskFactors = append(riskFactors, "Piracy indicators in description")
    }
    
    // Check for legitimate commercial software being "cracked"
    if containsAny(strings.ToLower(r.Name), []string{"bitdefender", "norton", "kaspersky", "mcafee"}) {
        r.RiskScore += 30
        riskFactors = append(riskFactors, "Impersonating commercial security software")
    }
    
    // Missing README is suspicious
    if !r.HasReadme {
        r.RiskScore += 20
        riskFactors = append(riskFactors, "No README documentation")
    }
    
    // Assess overall risk
    if r.RiskScore >= 80 {
        return fmt.Sprintf("CRITICAL THREAT (Score: %d)\nFactors:\n- %s", 
            r.RiskScore, strings.Join(riskFactors, "\n- "))
    } else if r.RiskScore >= 50 {
        return fmt.Sprintf("HIGH RISK (Score: %d)\nFactors:\n- %s", 
            r.RiskScore, strings.Join(riskFactors, "\n- "))
    }
    
    return fmt.Sprintf("Risk Score: %d", r.RiskScore)
}

func containsAny(text string, keywords []string) bool {
    lowerText := strings.ToLower(text)
    for _, keyword := range keywords {
        if strings.Contains(lowerText, strings.ToLower(keyword)) {
            return true
        }
    }
    return false
}

Automated Detection

// GitHub repository scanner for malware patterns
package scanner

import (
    "context"
    "os"
)

type MalwareScanner struct {
    ApiToken string
}

func NewScanner() *MalwareScanner {
    return &MalwareScanner{
        ApiToken: os.Getenv("GITHUB_TOKEN"),
    }
}

func (s *MalwareScanner) ScanRepository(ctx context.Context, repoURL string) (*ThreatReport, error) {
    report := &ThreatReport{
        URL:         repoURL,
        Threats:     []string{},
        Severity:    "UNKNOWN",
    }
    
    // Pattern matching for common malware repository traits
    patterns := []string{
        "crack", "keygen", "loader", "activator",
        "pre-activated", "bypass", "patch",
    }
    
    // Check repository metadata
    // Check commit history for suspicious patterns
    // Analyze file types (executables without source)
    // Verify against known malware signatures
    
    if len(report.Threats) > 3 {
        report.Severity = "CRITICAL"
    }
    
    return report, nil
}

type ThreatReport struct {
    URL      string
    Threats  []string
    Severity string
}

Safe Alternatives

Legitimate Bitdefender Sources

# Official Bitdefender download (trials available)
# Visit: https://www.bitdefender.com/downloads/

# Official free antivirus options
# Windows Defender (built-in, free, and effective)
# Turn on: Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Windows Security

# Other legitimate free options:
# - Avast Free Antivirus (avast.com)
# - AVG AntiVirus Free (avg.com)
# - Kaspersky Free (kaspersky.com/free-antivirus)

Reporting Malicious Repositories

# Report to GitHub
# https://github.com/contact/report-abuse

# Report to Google Safe Browsing
# https://safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_badware/

# Report to Microsoft
# https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/support/report-unsafe-site

Key Takeaways

1. Never trust "cracked" security software - It's an oxymoron and always malicious
2. Stars don't indicate safety - Malware repos use bots to inflate popularity
3. Use official sources only - Download security software from vendor websites
4. Free alternatives exist - No need to risk malware for free antivirus
5. When in doubt, don't download - Your system security is worth more than any "free" software

Environment Variables

# For automated scanning tools
export GITHUB_TOKEN="your_token_here"
export VIRUSTOTAL_API_KEY="your_api_key_here"
export MALWARE_DB_URL="https://your-malware-db.example.com"

Additional Resources

• VirusTotal - Scan suspicious files
• Hybrid Analysis - Malware analysis
• Any.run - Interactive malware sandbox
• URLhaus - Malware URL database

FINAL WARNING: This repository is a security threat. Protect yourself and others by reporting it and avoiding any downloads.