Fact or Fake? Investigating the ‘Dance of the Hillary’ Cyber Threat

Last Updated: June 2025

In May 2025, Indian media outlets and intelligence agencies raised significant concerns about a malware campaign dubbed the “Dance of the Hillary” virus, allegedly orchestrated by threat actors with suspected links to Pakistan. This comprehensive investigation reveals a complex blend of legitimate cybersecurity threats, media sensationalism, and viral misinformation that has created widespread public confusion.

Key Finding: While the specific “Dance of the Hillary” threat appears to be largely media-coined terminology mixing genuine malware concerns with old hoaxes, the underlying cybersecurity landscape reveals real and active threats targeting Indian users through social engineering campaigns.

Latest Developments (May-June 2025)

Official Government Response

The Government of India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit officially debunked viral claims about ATM closures and the “Dance of the Hillary” threat on May 8, 2025, confirming that ATMs would continue operating normally. However, CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team – India) did issue legitimate advisories warning about potential cyberattacks from Pakistan-based groups targeting banks and social media users.

Law Enforcement Involvement

Punjab Police’s cybercrime wing issued advisories about malware attacks potentially originating from Pakistan, with “Dance of the Hillary” mentioned as part of a broader campaign targeting users through phishing links and malicious attachments.

Banking Sector Clarifications

State Bank of India (SBI) confirmed on May 9, 2025, that all SBI ATMs, CDMs/ADWMs, and digital services remained fully operational and available for public use, directly contradicting viral misinformation about banking system shutdowns.

Threat Analysis: What’s Real vs. What’s Hype

Confirmed Threats (REAL)

1. Legitimate Malware Campaigns: Security experts confirm active malware campaigns targeting Indian users through phishing attacks, with capabilities including accessing personal data, login credentials, financial information, and enabling remote device control
2. Social Engineering Attacks: Ongoing spear-phishing campaigns using social media platforms and messaging apps
3. Cross-border Cyber Tensions: Verified increase in cyber activities amid India-Pakistan geopolitical tensions

Debunked Claims (FAKE/MISLEADING)

1. ATM Shutdowns: Completely false – no ATMs were shut down due to cyber threats
2. “Dance of the Hillary” Video: This specific claim is a recycled hoax that has been circulating since 2016, with no BBC announcement ever made
3. Widespread Infrastructure Disruption: No verified reports of critical infrastructure being compromised

Technical Deep Dive

Attack Vectors and Payload Delivery

The confirmed attack patterns rely heavily on social engineering techniques:

Primary Distribution Methods:

• Messaging Platforms: WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger
• Email Campaigns: Spear-phishing with malicious attachments
• Social Media: Fake posts and links on Facebook, Instagram
• File Types: Disguised as videos, documents, or system updates

Key Indicators of Compromise (IOCs):

• File name: tasksche.exe (associated with historical WannaCry, not current threats)
• Delivery methods: Compressed archives (.zip, .rar), fake media files
• Behavioral indicators: Registry modifications, scheduled tasks, process injection

Malware Capabilities (Confirmed Active Threats)

Real malware samples in circulation can:

• Execute process hollowing and DLL injection techniques
• Install keyloggers for credential harvesting
• Establish C2 (Command and Control) channels via encrypted protocols
• Modify Windows registry for persistence
• Exfiltrate browser-stored passwords and financial data
• Enable remote access and device control

Geopolitical Context & Attribution

Threat Attribution Complexity

While Indian cybersecurity agencies suggest state-aligned threat actors from Pakistan may be involved, no official attribution has been confirmed by major global threat intelligence firms (Mandiant, CrowdStrike, Kaspersky). The name “Dance of the Hillary” appears to be media-coined terminology rather than actual malware family nomenclature.

Hybrid Warfare Implications

This incident represents the growing trend of weaponizing malware in geopolitical disputes, with increasing involvement of state-linked or state-inspired groups in cyber espionage, particularly in South Asia.

For Organizations & IT Professionals

Advanced Technical Mitigations:

• Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR): Deploy solutions like SentinelOne, CrowdStrike, or Microsoft Defender for comprehensive behavioral analysis
• Sandbox Analysis: Utilize platforms like Any.Run, Cuckoo Sandbox, or VMware Carbon Black for suspicious file testing
• Network Monitoring: Implement DLP (Data Loss Prevention) and monitor for anomalous outbound connections
• Application Control: Deploy Windows AppLocker or similar whitelisting technologies
• Email Security: Advanced threat protection with attachment sandboxing and deep content inspection

Security Architecture Improvements:

• Zero Trust Implementation: Verify every user and device before granting access
• Network Segmentation: Isolate critical systems from general network access
• Privileged Access Management (PAM): Control and monitor administrative access
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Centralized logging and threat detection
• Regular Penetration Testing: Identify vulnerabilities before attackers do

For Individual Users

Essential Security Hygiene:

1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable on all critical accounts (banking, email, social media)
2. Software Updates: Maintain current OS and application patches
3. Antivirus Protection: Use reputable, regularly updated security software
4. Email/Message Vigilance: Never click unknown attachments or links
5. Strong Passwords: Use unique, complex passwords with password managers
6. Social Media Privacy: Review and restrict sharing settings

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Messages from unknown numbers, especially with +92 (Pakistan) prefix
• Files with suspicious extensions (.exe, .scr, .bat, .com)
• Urgent messages claiming system threats or requiring immediate action
• Requests for personal or financial information via social media
• Videos or documents from untrusted sources

Frequently Asked Questions