Security · November 4, 2026
Also published in Português (Brasil)
New Malware VOLTA Discovered by Cisco Talos
On November 2, 2026, a new type of Windows malware named VOLTA was discovered by the cybersecurity team Cisco Talos. This malware integrates AI models to analyze its victims' personal data, assess the value of the information, and attempts to self-delete after completing its operations to reduce the risk of being detected and tracked.
Reportedly, VOLTA can collect various sensitive information from victims' devices, including web browsing history, cryptocurrency wallets, browser extensions, text documents, and chat logs. It uploads the relevant files to online AI products like Anthropic Claude to generate summaries for hackers. After gathering information and assessing its value, VOLTA tries to delete itself to minimize traces of the attack, making it harder for security personnel to investigate and trace the activity.
Cisco Talos believes that such malware indicates that AI technology is gradually changing the way hackers operate. Traditional large-scale indiscriminate attacks are not only easily traceable but also require a significant amount of time waiting for potential returns, which can be highly uncertain. In contrast, the approach of first collecting data and then using AI to assess target value helps attackers filter for more profitable targets, potentially exposing large institutions and executives to more precise cyber attack risks.
However, ordinary users should not let their guard down. Even if files on personal computers lack direct economic value, information such as browsing history, spending habits, life trajectories, and social relationships can still be used for user profiling analysis. Attackers can leverage AI to extract personal preferences and potential weaknesses from this data, planning more targeted scams and social engineering attacks, further complicating the protection of personal information.