Accenture’s Cyber Threat Intelligence team released research indicating that Infostealer malware thrived on underground criminal networks in the year 2022. Malicious threat actors utilize this type of malware to steal sensitive data such as passwords and other credentials. 

In today’s article, we highlight what Infostealer Malware is, how it happens, its impact on businesses like yours, and the preventive and defensive measures you can take to protect yourself from this. 

What is Infostealer Malware?

Infostealer malware is a type of malicious software that steals sensitive information from the infected device without the user’s knowledge. This malware can steal a wide range of data, such as login credentials, banking information, credit card details, and other confidential data. Infostealer malware can be distributed via infected email attachments, phishing websites, or social engineering tactics.

How Infostealer Malware Attacks Happen

Infostealer malware attacks happen when a user clicks on an infected link or opens an infected email attachment. Once the malware infects the system, it collects data and sends it to the attacker’s server. This data can be used for fraudulent activities such as identity theft, financial and wire fraud, and even blackmail.

The Impact of Infostealer Malware on Corporate Security

Infostealer malware has the capability to disrupt business operations for many different reasons. The risk of a data breach alone can destroy your brand’s credibility and your customers’ trust. Here are several reasons why companies should consider building defense systems against this specific malware: 

1. Loss of Sensitive Data

Infostealer malware can lead to the loss of sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information (PII), financial information, and confidential business data. This data loss can result in significant financial and reputational damage to the affected company.

2. Financial Loss

Infostealer malware can cause financial loss to companies due to fraudulent activities such as unauthorized transactions, fund transfers, and identity theft. The cost of these incidents can be substantial and result in direct and indirect financial loss to the company.

3. Legal Implications

Companies that suffer a data breach due to Infostealer malware may face legal implications, mainly if the stolen data includes personally identifiable information (PII). Companies may face litigation, fines, and regulatory penalties, depending on the severity of the breach and the specific laws and regulations applicable in their jurisdiction.

4. Disruption of Business Operations

Infostealer malware can disrupt business operations and lead to downtime, resulting in lost productivity and revenue. Companies may also need to devote significant time and resources to remediate the malware attack and restore affected systems and data.

5. Damage to Brand Image

A company’s brand image can suffer due to a data breach caused by Infostealer malware. Losing customer trust and loyalty can have long-lasting consequences and negatively impact the company’s bottom line.

7 Ways to Prevent Infostealer Malware

Executing preventive and defensive strategies against Infostealer malware is essential to protect sensitive information and business operations. Here are ways to reduce the risk of attacks and protect your assets from this cyber threat: 

1. Keep Software Up-to-Date

Companies should keep their software and operating systems up-to-date to ensure that known vulnerabilities are patched. Infostealer malware often exploits known vulnerabilities in software and systems, so timely updates are critical to prevent attacks.

2. Deploy Antivirus and Firewall

Antivirus and firewall software should be deployed on all devices to detect and prevent Infostealer malware attacks. These security measures can identify and block suspicious activity, preventing the malware from infecting the device.

3. Train Employees

Regular training sessions should be conducted to educate employees on identifying and avoiding phishing emails, social engineering tactics, and other malware attacks. Employees are often the first line of defense against Infostealer malware attacks, so it’s essential to ensure that they are well informed and trained to prevent such attacks.

4. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor and passwordless authentication can prevent unauthorized access to systems and sensitive data, reducing the risk of Infostealer malware attacks. This security measure requires users to provide multiple forms of identification, such as a password and a one-time code, before granting access to sensitive data.

5. Use Encryption

Companies should encrypt sensitive data to prevent unauthorized access, even if the data is stolen. Encryption makes it difficult for attackers to access and read the data, even if they manage to steal it.

6. Limit Access

Access to sensitive data should only be limited to authorized personnel, reducing the risk of Infostealer malware attacks. This security measure ensures that only those who need access to sensitive data can access it, reducing the chances of Broken Access Control.

7. Conduct Regular Security Audits

Regular security audits should be conducted to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by Infostealer malware. There’s no reason to do this manually, as vulnerability assessment tools like SecureBrain’s GRED Web Security Verification Cloud can do this for you automatically. These audits can help companies proactively address vulnerabilities and prevent potential attacks before they occur.

In today’s digital age, security has become a crucial aspect for all companies. With the various types of cyber threats looming online, it only makes sense that organizations invest in cybersecurity solutions that can help protect against malware like InfoStealer. Talk to our experts now, and together, we’ll help you identify the necessary safeguards to set in place to keep your business safe from cybercrime.