New York-based Avanan's Cloud Security Platform detected a massive attack against its customers using Microsoft Office 365 caused by Cerber, a ransomware virus, which spreads through email and encrypted users' files.

The new zero-day malware affects all Office 365 products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. A zero-day exploit is one in which cybercriminals take advantage of the vulnerability almost immediately.

According to its blog, Avanan's Cloud Security Platform detected a massive attack against its customers using Office 365 starting June 22, at 6:44 a.m. UTC. The assault included a very nasty ransomware virus called Cerber, which spreads through email and encrypted users' files. Once encrypted, Cerber demanded a ransom in order to regain access to the user's documents, photos and files.

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Roy Urrico

Roy W. Urrico specializes in articles about financial technology and services for Credit Union Times, as well as ghostwriting, copywriting, and case studies. Also: writer/editor of a semi-annual newsletter for Association for Financial Technology since 1997 and history projects funded by the U.S Interior Department, National Park Service and Warren County (N.Y.).