A new report concerning a Bitcoin-oriented Windows ”clipboard hijacker” malware has been making the rounds lately. Moreover, the malware has reportedly already affected and is monitoring more than 2.3 million potential targets.
Most dedicated cryptocurrency enthusiasts are already well-versed in the potential pitfalls posed by different types of malware in relation to cryptocurrency malware. Most of the cryptocurrency-related malware available online is relatively harmless, so-called ”cryptojacking” malware.
However, the list of malware also involves more serious types of malicious software and continues to grow, meaning cryptocurrency investors need to be on the lookout for new malicious additions to the existing range of malware.
BleepingComputer has published a comprehensive report over this new malware, which is called ”CryptoCurrency Clipboard Hijacker”. More specifically, it targets the long Bitcoin addresses needed to transact Bitcoin between users.
The malware identifies when a user copies such an address and replaces this address within Windows clipboard with an address controlled by the malicious party behind the malware, which the unknowing users later pastes as the receiving address.
As the malware runs in the background of an affected computer, users might not suspect that anything is wrong and will, therefore, trust that the pasted address is indeed the correct address.
BleepingComputer added that the only way a user would be aware of the swap is by double-checking the pasted address before sending the coins.
BleepingComputer also reports that more than 2.3 million addresses are being monitored by this specific malware. Cryptocurrency clipboard hijackers are nothing new; however, previously discovered malware have merely monitored 400,000 to 600,000 cryptocurrency addresses.
Users are advised by BleepingComputer to double-reference their Bitcoin addresses if they copy and paste them, which most users do. Moreover, it is vital to have antivirus software running that is up-to-date if one hopes to identify and defend oneself against such malware.
It should be noted that only Windows computers are supposedly affected by this cryptocurrency malware, although it should be recommended that all cryptocurrency users remain vigilant and watchful, regardless of platform.
Whilst this particular malware seems to be limited to Windows and Bitcoin, there’s a growing list of other malware that could work in different ways and affect users of other platforms and other cryptocurrencies.
Cryptocurrencies have increased dramatically in popularity and adoption during the past 12 months, which has also increased the amount of malware, as malicious actors attempt to capitalize on other users. Keeping this in mind, one thing seems certain – this is not the last cryptocurrency malware you’ll hear about.
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Source: Toshi Times
Original Post: Windows Clipboard Hijacking Malware Reportedly Monitoring 2.3M Bitcoin Wallets
