InfoStealer Malware

What is InfoStealer Malware?

InfoStealers are a type of malware designed to secretly collect and steal sensitive information from infected devices.

It operates stealthily, often unnoticed by the user while gathering data.

InfoStealers spread through malicious email attachments, infected websites, or bundled software.

Once collected, the stolen data is uploaded to the attacker for various malicious purposes.

How Do InfoStealers Work?

While each malware strain has different capabilities, they all tend to work similarly. Here are the basic four stages:

1. Infection: Threat actors deliver the malware through malicious attachments, infected websites, or bundled with other software. Once the user interacts with the malicious content, the InfoStealer installs itself on the device.
2. Data Collection: After installation, the malware operates stealthily in the background. It gathers information in several ways. These include keylogging, screen capturing, man-in-the-browser attacks, and credential sniffing.
3. Exfiltration: The collected data is then packaged and sent back to the attacker. This transfer is often done using encrypted communication to avoid detection.
4. Exploitation: The attacker uses the stolen information for various malicious activities. These include identity theft, financial fraud, or selling the data on the dark web.

What types of sensitive data do InfoStealers collect?

InfoStealers target a range of sensitive data, including:

• Login Credentials: Usernames, passwords, and browser cookies for online accounts such as emails, social media, and banking.
• Personal Information: Names, addresses, phone numbers, and other personal identification details.
• Financial Information: Credit card numbers, bank account details, crypto wallets, and other financial data.
• Browser Data: Saved login information, browsing history, and autofill data from web browsers.
• Files and Documents: Specific files or documents stored on the device that may contain valuable information.

How can Stealer malware impact your business?

• Financial Loss: Unauthorized transactions and financial fraud can result in direct monetary losses.
• Data Breaches: Sensitive business information, including client data and trade secrets, can be stolen and exposed.
• Reputation Damage: The theft and misuse of data can damage your business’s reputation and erode customer trust.
• Operational Disruption: Malware infections can disrupt business operations, leading to downtime and loss of productivity.
• Legal Consequences: Businesses may receive financial penalties due to compliance issues if they fail to protect sensitive data adequately.

What are the most common InfoStealers?

While there are many different types of InfoStealer malware, the most common types include:

• RedLine: Known for stealing a wide range of information, including credentials, browser data, and cryptocurrency wallets, RedLine is often distributed through phishing emails and malicious websites.
• Raccoon: A versatile InfoStealer that targets browser data, email credentials, and various types of files, commonly spread through phishing campaigns and exploit kits.
• TrickBot: Initially a banking trojan, TrickBot has evolved into a powerful InfoStealer, capable of collecting credentials, browser data, and sensitive information from infected systems.
• LokiBot: Frequently used in phishing attacks, LokiBot steals credentials from web browsers, email clients, and file transfer applications.
• Zeus: One of the earliest and most notorious banking trojans, Zeus specializes in stealing banking credentials and other sensitive information.
• Gozi: Also known as Ursnif, Gozi targets banking information, login credentials, and other personal data, often spread through malicious email attachments.

How can you protect your organization from InfoStealers?

There are a number of steps you should implement to protect your organization from InfoStealers, including:

1. Use Password Managers: Ensure that employees use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords for all accounts.
2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Require MFA for all critical systems and accounts to add an extra layer of security.
3. Update and Patch Software: Regularly update all software and systems to ensure they have the latest security patches. Ensure that personal devices used to connect to corporate resources are adequately hardened as well.
4. Install Security Software: Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to detect and block malicious files.
5. Network Security: Segment your network and implement firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and endpoint detection & response (EDR) systems to protect against unauthorized access.
6. Backup Data: Regularly back up important data. Ensure backups are stored securely and separately from the main network.
7. Monitor Network Traffic: Continuously monitor network traffic for unusual activities that might indicate a malware infection.
8. Restrict User Privileges: Limit user permissions to only what is necessary for their role. This helps reduce the risk of malware spreading through the network.
9. Incident Response Plan: Develop an incident response plan to effectively respond to security breaches.
10. Ongoing Data Breach Monitoring: Regularly monitor the dark web for any signs of stolen credentials or sensitive company information being sold or shared. This can help prevent ransomware attacks and data breaches by quickly responding to leaked data before it’s exploited.