Clearsale Blog | Insights on Ecommerce and fraud

Malware Stealers: what are they and how to protect yourself?

Written by Luis Casillas | Mar 21, 2024

There is no doubt that cybersecurity is a constant concern for both businesses and individual consumers. One of the most common and dangerous types of malware is Malware Stealer, which is designed to steal sensitive information from infected devices.

Have you heard about Malware Stealer? Let's understand what this type of threat is, how it works, the types of information it seeks, and the risks involved, to find out how to protect your company and team against this type of threat.

 

What is a Malware Stealer?

A Malware Stealer, as its name suggests, is a type of malware designed to steal confidential information from infected devices, such as passwords, banking details, personal information, and other sensitive information.

Typically, this malware is distributed through phishing emails, malicious websites, email attachments, or infected software downloads. Once the malware infects the device, such as the computer, it begins to collect and send the stolen information to the criminal.

How does a Malware Stealer work?

Malware Stealer is designed to operate stealthily on the infected device, that is, stealing information, without the user being aware of its presence. It can install itself in hidden locations of the operating system, such as registries or temporary files, making it difficult to detect.

Once installed, Malware Stealer starts collecting sensitive information such as passwords stored in browsers, credit card information and banking details registered on the machine. This information is then sent to the criminal via encrypted connections or secure communication channels.

What types of information does a Malware Stealer seek?

A Malware Stealer seeks a wide range of sensitive information, including:

  • Passwords for email accounts, social networks and online services;
  • Credit card information and bank details;
  • Personal information, such as full name, address, telephone number, etc.;
  • Corporate services login data;
  • Confidential information, such as business secrets or confidential documents.

What are the risks for companies and consumers?

Both companies and consumers face significant risks when it comes to Malware Stealers, check out:

Losses to organizations

For businesses, the theft of confidential information can lead to data breaches, loss of intellectual property, and reputational damage, in addition to financial data and even loss of market share.

Losses to consumers

For consumers, Malware Stealers can generate even more losses, such as emptied bank accounts, stolen identities, and a series of financial frauds.

How to protect yourself?

There are different measures that can be taken to protect your company, reputation, and consumers against Malware Stealers:

  1. Keep your operating systems and applications updated with the latest security patches;
  2. Use a reliable antivirus and keep it updated;
  3. Avoid clicking on links or opening suspicious email attachments;
  4. Do not download software from untrustworthy sources;
  5. Use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts;
  6. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks;
  7. Make regular backups of your important data and keep it in a safe place.

 

Protect yourself with Brand Protection from ClearSale

 

An effective way to protect yourself against Malware Stealers is to use an advanced cybersecurity solution, like ClearSale's Brand Protection. This solution offers real-time protection against Malware Stealers and other cyber threats using advanced detection and behavior analysis algorithms. To learn more about Brand Protection and how it can protect your business or personal devices, schedule a demo.

In an increasingly digital world, cybersecurity has become an essential concern. Protecting yourself against Malware Stealers is very important to guarantee the security of your confidential information and avoid financial losses for both the company and consumers. By following the tips mentioned and relying on reliable cybersecurity solutions like Brand Protection, you will be in a safer position to face these threats.