Aside from physical wallets, hot wallets are also used to store Cryptocurrency. Behind the security phrase in these crypto wallets, the crypto tokens of users are stored. Cybercriminals have now started targeting these wallets. If you too invest in cryptocurrencies, then you must know about a new malware named BHUNT, which is targeting users’ crypto wallets.
Cyber security firm Bitdefender has said in its new report that cybercriminals are now stealing the contents of users’ crypto wallets, passwords and security phrases that users store on their PCs. According to Bitdefender, the BHUNT malware is being used to carry out this cyber theft. Let us delve deeper into this.
How does this malware attack?
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Crypto Wallets are secured through a security phrase. Without this phrase, no one crypto access their wallet. It is the “private key” of these wallets, which makes them secure. Desktop wallets keep these “private keys” on a PC’s hard drive or SSD, making them more secure than web or mobile wallets. But BHUNT malware can access these security phrases by attacking your PC.
The report says that this malware enters the user’s computer through a pirated software. These pirated software are often downloaded by users through torrents or from malicious websites. Once this malware along with these software reaches your system then it attacks your crypto wallet. The report says that this malware can transfer cryptocurrencies to other wallets.
Malware steals password:
Bitdefender’s report says that the BHUNT malware is primarily focused on stealing information related to cryptocurrency wallets, but it can also steal your passwords and cookies stored in the browser. This malware can easily steal your social media, banking and other passwords.
What makes it so dangerous?
Bitdefender says that this malware is very dangerous as it is packaged as encrypted and digitally-signed software. Because of this, the user’s computer cannot detect the malware. The security firm said:
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“All of our telemetry comes from home users who are more likely to have cryptocurrency wallet software stored on their systems. This target group is more likely to install cracks for operating system software, which we suspect is the main source of infection.”
How to keep this at bay?
To avoid getting infected with BHUNT or any Malware, you should be wary of the following things:
- Stop downloading pirated software, cracks and illegal products from any websites. For instance, in December last year, many users came across cryptocurrency mining malware while downloading ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ from torrent sites.
- Avoid opening unknown links on your e-mails.
- Never trust pop-up windows that ask you to download any app.
- Use licensed anti-virus in your system.
- Do not give storage permission to every website.
