Computer attacks trying to steal passwords and and access credentials of online bank accounts are on the rise: how to defend yourself
Password stealing ware (PSW) malware attacks are growing in Europe and Asia: if in the first half of 2018 about 600,000 were counted, in the same period this year their number rose by more than a third, exceeding 940,000 attacks. These are attacks that can be launched against computers, laptops as much as and mobile devices.
The alarm is launched by Kaspersky, which also explains how the so-called “password stealers” work. These password stealers are quite elaborate malware with different attack strategies. In various ways they can steal browser cookies, looking for site login data or online form auto-fill information, or look for this data directly inside files placed on the desktop or in those of applications such as messaging services. Finally, password stealers programmed to operate in the background on mobile devices can also track (and therefore steal) our taps and the letters we enter from our smartphone or tablet while logging in to different sites.
Why Password Stealers are Dangerous
Kaspersky’s warning is concrete and should not be underestimated because, among the many data and passwords that these viruses manage to obtain once they enter the user’s PC, there can also be those of the online bank or credit card. It is possible, therefore, that a hacker collects our data and then uses them to make online purchases with our money on any of the many e-commerce sites on the Web.
How to defend yourself against password stealer
To avoid exposing your passwords to password stealer activity, therefore, it is good to use a lot of caution when surfing. First of all, you should never share your login credentials with friends or relatives, because if this communication takes place online, it could be intercepted by malware. Or, unintentionally, friends and relatives might handle this data in an unwise way. It is essential to keep your operating system and software up-to-date so that any security holes are fixed as soon as possible. Very useful, then, the use of a password manager, a program designed to safely store our passwords and, finally, the installation of a good security suite containing a quality antivirus. Which should be constantly updated.