A notorious piece of information-stealing malware is back on the cybercrime scene. This malware has already made it possible to steal more than 50 million identifiers, according to the FBI.
Raccoon Stealer, one of the most popular info stealers – malware that specializes in stealing passwords – has returned to hacker forums. The specialized vx-underground Twitter account shared a publication dated August 14, 2023, announcing the deployment of the new version of the malware. The developers of “Raccoon” – the raccoon, in English – took a six-month break to rework their software.
This malware launched in April 2019 was quickly adopted by cybercriminals. According to the FBI, more than 50 million identifiers (emails, bank accounts, cryptocurrency wallets, credit card numbers, etc.) had been stolen from this tool in 2022. Its popularity is due to the fact that it is offered for a subscription of 200 dollars (about 180 euros) per month on various hacker forums. “Raccoon” is programmed to reach a large number of applications.
The software is deployed in the classic way through a booby-trapped attachment, for example. Once the computer or smartphone is compromised, the cybercriminal can steal data from up to 60 different applications, including search engines, banks, cryptocurrency accounts or email services.
Protect your passwords
The service had been somewhat disrupted after the arrest of its main administrator in October 2022. Mark Sokolovsky, a 26-year-old Ukrainian, was arrested in the Netherlands driving his Porsche Cayenne.
The operators of Raccoon Stealer say that the new features have been implemented taking into account feedback and requests from “customers”, in order to keep the malware at the forefront of the information stealer market.
To avoid being trapped by this dreadful malware, you should first not open dubious attachments, but also use a password manager to store your secret combinations in safety. Double authentication can also alert you urgently if someone tries to connect without your knowledge.
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