One Note documents emerged as the newest Malware delivery tool

What is OneNote?

OneNote is a popular note-taking application developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite and is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. OneNote allows users to create and store notes, documents, and other files in a central location. OneNote documents can be shared with others, and they can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.

How are OneNote documents being used to deliver malware?

In recent months, there has been an increase in the use of OneNote documents to deliver malware and it is now become common for attackers to use OneNote Documents to deliver malware, this is because OneNote documents are often opened by users without hesitation, as they are seen as being safe and legitimate.

Attackers can embed malicious code in a OneNote document by using a variety of techniques, such as:

• Hiding the malicious code in plain text
• Encoding the malicious code in a macro
• Using a dropper to deliver the malicious code

Once the malicious code is embedded in the OneNote document, the attacker can trick the user into opening the document by:

• sending phishing emails that contain malicious OneNote attachments. These attachments appear to be legitimate documents, such as a friend or colleague. The email may also contain a subject line that is designed to pique the victim's curiosity, such as "Important Information" or "Urgent Update." but they actually contain malware. When a user opens the attachment, the malware is installed on their computer.

• By posting the document on a malicious website, these attachments appear to be legitimate documents. They may deceive you by claiming that the document is protected, aiming to avoid raising your suspicion. This code can be executed upon opening the document or triggered by a specific event, such as clicking on a link or opening a particular tab.

• Finally, OneNote documents can be used to deliver malware through social engineering attacks. For example, an attacker might create a OneNote document that contains a malicious link. Asking the user to download the document from a legitimate-looking website,If a user clicks on the link, they will be taken to a website that is infected with malware.

What are the risks of OneNote malware?

OneNote malware can pose a number of risks to users. These risks include:

• Data theft: OneNote malware can be used to steal personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and bank account information.
• System damage: OneNote malware can damage a user's computer system. This damage can range from minor annoyances, such as pop-up ads, to more serious problems, such as data loss or system crashes.
• Remote access: OneNote malware can be used to give attackers remote access to a user's computer, by installing other malware such as ransomware or spyware the malware take control of the computer and allow the attacker to access it remotely.This access can be used to steal data.
• Disrupt business operations.
• Spread misinformation.
• Censor content.
• Promote violence.
• Disrupt elections.

It is important to remember that any file can potentially be malicious, regardless of its format. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution and be aware of potential risks when opening files, particularly if they are from unknown senders.

The risk of OneNote malware is increasing as attackers become more sophisticated and find new ways to deliver and exploit this type of malware. It is important to be aware of the risks and to take steps to protect yourself from OneNote malware.

How can I protect myself from OneNote malware?

Here are some tips to help you protect yourself from OneNote malware these include:

• Do not open attachments from unknown senders. This is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself from malware. If you receive an email from an unknown sender with an attachment, do not open it. Even if the email looks legitimate, it could be a phishing email that is designed to trick you into opening a malicious attachment.
• Be suspicious of attachments that are in a format that you are not expecting. If you receive an email with an attachment in a format that you do not normally receive, do not open it. For example, if you receive an email with a .onenote attachment from someone you do not know, do not open it. This is a common way that malware is delivered.
• Keep your computer's operating system and software up to date. Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect your computer from malware. Make sure that you install all of the latest updates for your operating system and software.
• Use a security solution that can detect and remove malware. A security solution can help to protect your computer from malware by scanning for and removing malicious files and programs. Make sure that you have a security solution installed on your computer and that it is up to date.
• Be careful about what websites you visit and what links you click on. Malware can be delivered through malicious websites or links. Be careful about what websites you visit and what links you click on, especially if you are not familiar with the website or the link.
• Use a firewall. A firewall can help to protect your computer from unauthorized access. Make sure that you have a firewall enabled on your computer.
• Back up your data regularly. If your computer does become infected with malware, having a backup of your data will help you to recover from the infection. Make sure that you back up your data regularly.