Following a request from ASUS, we are publishing its response regarding the issue of Malware.
Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks are attacks that are carried out at a national level, usually originating from specific countries and targeting certain international organizations or entities rather than ordinary consumers.
ASUS Live Update is a proprietary tool provided with ASUS laptops, to ensure that the system always benefits from the latest drivers and firmware from ASUS. A small number of devices have been infected with malicious code, through an advanced attack on the Live Update servers, in an attempt to target a very small and specific group of users. ASUS customer service contacts the affected users and provides assistance to remove security risks.
ASUS has also applied an update to the latest version of the Live Update software (ver. 3.6.8), introduced numerous security verification mechanisms to prevent any malicious handling in the form of software updates or other media and implemented an improved end-to-end encryption mechanism. At the same time, it has also updated and strengthened the software's server-to-end-user architecture to prevent similar attacks in the future.
Additionally, it created an online security diagnostic tool to check the affected systems and encourage users who continue to be concerned to run it as a protective measure.
You can find the tool here: https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/nb/Apps_for_Win10/ASUDiagnosticTool/ASDT_v1.0.1.0.zip
Users who continue to be concerned about their systems are urged to contact ASUS Customer Service.
How can I find out if my device has been affected by the malware attack?
Only a very small number of special user groups have been found to have been targeted by this attack, and therefore it is extremely unlikely that your device has been affected. However, if you continue to be concerned about this issue, you can use ASUS's security diagnostic tool or contact ASUS Customer Service for assistance.
What should I do if my device is affected?
Create an immediate backup of your files and restore your operating system to factory settings. This will completely remove malware from your computer. To secure your information, ASUS recommends regularly updating your passwords.
How can I ensure I have the latest version of ASUS Live Update?
You can find out whether you have the latest version of ASUS Live Update by following the instructions shown at the link below:
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1018727/
Have other ASUS devices also been affected by the attack?
No, only the Live Update version used for laptops has been affected. All other devices remain unaffected.
