Fileless Malware Attacks – How and When it Came in Existence

The Emergence of Fileless Malware Attacks

A fileless malware campaign is a type of malicious attack a hacker can use to leverage applications already installed in a computer.

Unlike other malware and phishing campaigns, where software is unknowingly installed onto the users’ system, fileless malware attacks use applications that are already installed which are thought to be safe.

Therefore, fileless malware attacks do not need to install malicious programs or infected files to initiate an attack.

Cybersecurity researchers have documented a recent fileless malware campaign targeting online banking users to steal valuable login credentials by accessing remote control of users’ devices.

With this attack, cybercriminals taking a step further by installing a hacking tool named, RADMIN onto the compromised computers.

The malware campaign specifically targeted users of relatively large Brazilian and Taiwanese banks.

Fileless malware is becoming a popular tactic that cybercriminals are using to steal data from users’ networks and devices.

Fileless malware is a malicious program which enables hackers to gain access to users’ system without writing or leaving any of its activity on the machine.

Fileless malware installs itself onto the device’s RAM and will typically access and inject malicious code into default Windows tools, such as Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and PowerShell. 

These trusted applications allow criminals to execute malicious commands for multiple endpoints, which makes them ideal targets for fileless malware assaults.

Benefits for hackers include a higher success rate in deployment and the ability to launch sophisticated and profitable attacks without being detected.

With no detectable traces, it can bypass the effectiveness of some common antivirus programs that are not specifically organized to detect this kind of intrusion.

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A recent report by cybersecurity specialists revealed that the fileless malware targeting Brazilian and Taiwanese banks used multiple .BAT attachments to open an IP address.

It then downloads a PowerShell containing the banking Trojan payload and installs the appropriate malware to extract users’ valuable data.

Alongside RADMIN, these malicious tools included an information stealer.

Once installed in the victim’s device, the information stealer is capable of scanning for strings related to the affected banks and other associated connections to steal both personal and financial information.

Further, PowerShell scripts run the malicious codes and connect to other URL's, extracts and renames all the files stored in the computer.

It allows criminals to obtain credentials when users log onto their online banking and send it back to the command and control servers, which can open your computer to all kinds of disarray—not just password theft.

This personal information can be used by cyber-attackers to perform fraudulent activities or resold on the dark web which could cause havoc on an individual if compromised.

Conclusion

Nowadays, cyber crooks have learned to make their malware infections more adaptable, resilient and dangerous than ever before. While no silver bullet can provide a shield against all cyber risks at the same time. Hence, what do we need?

First, we must upgrade our cyber defense systems and processes to more effectively guard against cybersecurity threats, as well as to respond in a timely and robust manner to prevent any future intrusions.

Note* - We recommend ITL Total Security and Malware crusher, among the best reputed anti-malware software which will help you to block Trojans, hijackers, adware and other malware on your PC.

They are fully loaded with numerous beneficial features like Real-Time Protection, Web Protection, Invalid Registry Cleaner, Live updates, and many more to protect your computer from all kinds of disarray and keep you safe always.

Tips to Prevent virus and malware from Infecting Your System: