Infostealer Malware: Definition, Risks, Case Studies, and Countermeasures

Infostealer is a type of malware that illegally steals users' important information. This malware collects sensitive information from users and sends it to cybercriminals. Hackers use this to steal financial accounts, passwords, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), etc., to gain economic benefits. In recent years, Infostealer attacks have increased rapidly, causing significant damage.

1. Working Principle of Infostealer
Infostealer mainly penetrates users' computers through email attachments or malicious websites. After infiltrating the computer system, the malware collects the following data:

Login credentials (ID, password)
Financial account information
Cookies, session information
Autofill data stored in the web browser
System information and software versions
This information is mostly encrypted and sent to the attacker's server, and can then be used for criminal purposes.

2. Major Accident Cases
A. 2022 Financial Information Theft Incident

In 2022, an Infostealer attack occurred against a global financial institution. Hackers stole the bank's customer data through Infostealer and used it to commit crimes such as withdrawing money from numerous accounts. The amount of damage was approximately \$500 million. This incident was a sophisticated attack targeting the security vulnerabilities of financial institutions, and as a result, the banks had to carry out large-scale security reinforcement work.

B. 2019 Email-Based Attack

In 2019, there was an incident where Infostealer infiltrated through email. In this incident, hackers stole thousands of email accounts through malicious emails and were able to access the networks of various companies based on this. Infostealer, spread through email attachments, stole users' passwords and email client information and was used for various cyberattacks.

3. Main Features and Risks of Infostealer
Features and Explanation

Various distribution channels - Infostealer is distributed through email attachments, websites, and software vulnerabilities.

Information theft - It mainly targets user login information, financial information, and web browser stored data.

Automated data transmission - The stolen data is automatically sent to the hacker's server, allowing it to be quickly used for cybercrime.

Persistent infection - In an infected system, Infostealer continuously collects new information over time and continues to transmit it.

Infostealer itself is a threat, but through it, hackers commit various criminal acts, causing great harm to businesses and individuals. In particular, the theft of financial information or Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is a major problem, and its misuse can lead to serious incidents such as identity theft and financial losses.

4. Countermeasures against Infostealer
Use of antivirus software
To block Infostealer, it is important to use the latest antivirus software. Regularly scan the system and detect and remove suspicious programs.

Caution with email attachments
Email attachments should always be treated with suspicion and should not be opened. It is best to only open emails from trusted sources and to immediately delete suspicious emails.

Software and system updates
Infostealer often penetrates through vulnerable software, so it is important to keep the operating system and software up to date. Applying the latest security patches can prevent hacker infiltration.

Enable two-factor authentication
For important online accounts, it is advisable to enable two-factor authentication to enhance account security. This provides additional protection even if login information is stolen.

Infostealer remains a dangerous malware to this day, posing a serious security threat to both individuals and businesses. To prevent the spread of this malware, user awareness and preventive measures are crucial. It is necessary to prevent infiltration through email attachments or suspicious websites and maintain a secure internet environment through continuous system updates and the use of security programs.

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