Reputation Jacking: How Attackers Exploit Trusted Sites

Reputation jacking occurs when attackers leverage trusted websites and brands to host or distribute malware—commonly RATs, Trojanized installers, and malvertising—to evade detection and compromise users; the report highlights examples (clipboard-replacing attacks on download.cnet.com, malicious image metadata on Google CDN), explains how such attacks bypass users' trust, and recommends defenses including restricting access, rapid alerts/quarantining, and broader user and organizational education.