The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has raised an alarm over a new artificial intelligence-powered malware known as DeepLoad attacking Nigerian businesses. The agency disclosed this in a critical advisory issued on May 6 through its Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT.NG) and shared via its official X account.
According to NITDA, DeepLoad is an AI-enhanced malware strain designed to infiltrate systems, steal sensitive information, and evade conventional antivirus detection systems. It warned that the cyber threat is actively targeting Nigerian government agencies, financial institutions, businesses, and individuals.
The Agency explained that the malware spreads through deceptive website prompts that trick users into executing malicious commands on their computers. “The malware is distributed through a social engineering technique involving fake website error,” the advisory stated.
READ ALSO: Consumers Pay More As Prices Of Eggs, Beans, Local Rice, Others Rise In March The advisory noted that one of the most dangerous features of the malware is its ability to remain persistent even after attempted removal. According to NITDA, DeepLoad uses a hidden Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)-based mechanism capable of restoring the infection days later.
“Critically, the malware incorporates a hidden WMI-based persistence mechanism capable of reactivating the infection up to three days after apparent removal,” it stated.