Understanding Infostealers: A Growing Cybersecurity Threat

Businesses face a plethora of cyber threats that can jeopardize their sensitive data and operational integrity. Among these threats, infostealers, a type of malware designed to collect and transmit sensitive information, have emerged as a significant threat. Infostealers aren’t new, but they are a growing concern.

Unlike ransomware, where information is locked and held hostage for payment, infostealer attacks happen covertly. The growth in this type of cyber-attack has been driven by the explosion in connected devices coupled with the ease of trading information on the dark web. In this blog, we hope to educate businesses about infostealers, the risks they pose, and the measures businesses can take to protect themselves.

What are infostealers?

Infostealers are a category of malware specifically engineered to infiltrate systems and extract sensitive information. This information can range from login credentials and financial data to personal identification details and proprietary business information. The information is then published and sold on the dark web.

How do Infostealers work?

Infostealers employ a variety of techniques to infiltrate systems and extract data. Common methods include:

• Phishing emails: Cybercriminals use phishing emails with malicious attachments or links to trick recipients into downloading the malware.
• Drive-by downloads: Visiting compromised or malicious websites can result in automatic malware downloads without the user's knowledge.
• Exploiting vulnerabilities: Infostealer malware can exploit vulnerabilities in software or operating systems to gain unauthorized access.

Once installed, infostealers use techniques such as keylogging (recording keystrokes), form grabbing (capturing data entered into web forms), and memory scraping (extracting data stored in the system’s memory) to gather information.

It’s less about sophisticated technical capabilities and more about their role in the malicious hacker ecosystem. Unlike other malware used in targeted breaches, infostealer malware is spread widely and indiscriminately. The stolen data is then transmitted to a server controlled by the attacker. Then the infostealer or their customers on the dark web sort through the massive amount of data for valuable tokens or credentials.

The risks infostealers pose to businesses

The impact of an infostealer malware infection can be devastating for businesses. Here are some of the key risks:

• Data breaches: Info-stealing malware can lead to significant data breaches, exposing sensitive customer information, financial records, and intellectual property.
• Financial loss: Stolen financial data can be used for fraudulent transactions, leading to direct financial losses.
• Reputational damage: A data breach can severely damage a company's reputation, eroding customer trust and potentially leading to lost business opportunities.
• Regulatory consequences: Businesses may face legal and regulatory consequences, including fines and sanctions, for failing to protect sensitive data.
• Operational disruption: The presence of info-stealing malware can disrupt normal business operations, leading to downtime and productivity losses.

In short, the stakes are high. Infostealer malware threatens not just operational continuity but the very foundation of your organization.

8 tips for protecting your business from infostealers

Given the significant risks posed by infostealers, it is crucial for businesses to implement robust cybersecurity measures. Here are some best practices:

1. Employee training: Educate employees about the dangers of phishing and the importance of not clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.
2. Email security: Implement advanced email filtering solutions to detect and block phishing emails before they reach employees' inboxes.
3. Regular software updates: Ensure that all software, including operating systems and applications, is regularly updated to patch known vulnerabilities.
4. Use of antivirus and anti-malware solutions: Deploy comprehensive security solutions that include real-time scanning and threat detection capabilities.
5. Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Implement MFA for accessing critical systems and data to add an extra layer of security.
6. Network segmentation: Divide your network into segments to contain potential breaches and limit the spread of malware.
7. Data encryption: Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit to protect it from unauthorized access.
8. Browser hardening: Configuring and enhancing a web browser's settings and features to protect against online threats and vulnerabilities.

Partnering with cybersecurity experts

Given the complexity of cyber threats like infostealers, partnering with cybersecurity experts can provide an added layer of protection. Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) offer comprehensive security solutions, including threat monitoring, incident response, and vulnerability management, tailored to the specific needs of businesses.

In addition to being a managed IT provider, Locknet is a Managed Security Service Provider. We have a team of cybersecurity experts, stay abreast of the latest cybersecurity threats for you, and offer a robust assortment of tools and strategies to protect your business. Contact us to learn more.