Fernando Tavella

Fernando Tavella

Malware Researcher


Education: Student of Information Systems Engineering at the National Technological University, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Career: I worked as a software developer for 4 years before transitioning into security almost 4 years ago. I started out as a pentester and them moved into malware research.

Position and history at ESET: I joined the ESET team as a malware researcher in late September 2020.

What type of malware do you hate the most? Ransomware.

Favorite activities: Playing the guitar, watching TV and movies.

Favorite computer game/activity: Perform reverse engineering on everything I can – malware, video games, software with a particular vulnerability, etc. I like playing games like Metro 2033 and Metro Exodus

What is your golden rule for cyberspace? Search for information from various sources, don't use information from only one source.


5 articles by Fernando Tavella

GhostRedirector poisons Windows servers: Backdoors with a side of Potatoes

GhostRedirector poisons Windows servers: Backdoors with a side of Potatoes

GhostRedirector poisons Windows servers: Backdoors with a side of Potatoes

ESET researchers have identified a new threat actor targeting Windows servers with a passive C++ backdoor and a malicious IIS module that manipulates Google search results

Fernando Tavella • 04 Sep 2025 • 16 min. read


Operation King TUT: The universe of threats in LATAM

Operation King TUT: The universe of threats in LATAM

Operation King TUT: The universe of threats in LATAM

ESET researchers reveal a growing sophistication in threats affecting the LATAM region by employing evasion techniques and high-value targeting

Camilo Gutiérrez Amaya and Fernando Tavella • 17 Oct 2023 • 3 min. read


Operation Jacana: Foundling hobbits in Guyana

Operation Jacana: Foundling hobbits in Guyana

Operation Jacana: Foundling hobbits in Guyana

ESET researchers discovered a cyberespionage campaign against a governmental entity in Guyana

Fernando Tavella • 05 Oct 2023 • 9 min. read


These aren’t the apps you’re looking for: fake installers targeting Southeast and East Asia

These aren’t the apps you’re looking for: fake installers targeting Southeast and East Asia

These aren’t the apps you’re looking for: fake installers targeting Southeast and East Asia

ESET researchers have identified a campaign using trojanized installers to deliver the FatalRAT malware, distributed via malicious websites linked in ads that appear in Google search results

Matías Porolli and Fernando Tavella • 16 Feb 2023 • 10 min. read


Bandidos at large: A spying campaign in Latin America

Bandidos at large: A spying campaign in Latin America

Bandidos at large: A spying campaign in Latin America

ESET Research uncovers an active malicious campaign that uses new versions of old malware, Bandook, to spy on its victims

Matías Porolli and Fernando Tavella • 07 Jul 2021 • 14 min. read