Information-stealing malware, or “infostealers,” have become a significant threat, evolving from targeting pirated software to mimicking popular applications like generative AI tools. These threats affect multiple platforms, including Windows and Android. Data from August 2022 to August 2024 shows a persistent presence of infostealers, with a slight decrease in activity around the holiday season, possibly due to reduced online usage. Agent Tesla is highlighted as the most common infostealer, making up over 16% of all detections.

There are notable differences in how cybersecurity organizations report these threats. While ESET’s data points to a consistent issue with infostealers, ANY.RUN’s Q2 2024 report indicates a drop in the prominence of these threats, moving from first to fourth place compared to previous quarters. These variations reflect the complexities of tracking malware, as factors like threat classification, the demographics of customer bases, and the nature of monitored usage contribute to different perspectives on threat prevalence.

To combat infostealers, users are advised to adopt several security practices. Caution should be exercised when downloading software, always opting for verified sources. Utilizing strong security solutions, like antivirus programs, keeping software up to date, and adhering to safe browsing habits are critical. Staying informed about emerging threats and understanding attacker techniques are also essential to strengthen defenses against these evolving cyber risks.

Goretsky, Aryeh. 2024. “My Information Was Stolen. Now What?” We Live Security. Nov. 19. READ: https://bit.ly/491M2Wr

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