Infostealer malware is one of the biggest cybersecurity threats at the moment. There are many different types of this malware and comes with all kinds of names. Some are sold as software services. Hackers pay monthly fees to use to scam people, just like they pay to access Netflix.
Infostealer's malware economy is clearly booming, with the latest evidence being Kaspersky's report claiming that at least 25 million users were targeted between the start of 2023 and the end of 2024.
InfoStealers is designed to capture valuable information, such as bank card details, passwords, and confidential media.
Man using bank cards online (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
What you need to know
newly Published reports Kaspersky's digital footprint intelligence reveals that nearly 26 million devices have been victims of Infostealer malware in 2023 and 2024. Perhaps the most alarming statistic is that one of the 14 infectious diseases brought stolen bank card data. The stolen information didn't stop there. Passwords, second factor authentication cookies and other confidential credentials have also been damaged.
Analysts at Kaspersky noted that 2024 saw a sharp rise in infectious diseases driven by certain malware strains. Risepro, which accounted for just 1.4% of infections in 2023, rose sharply to 22.45% in 2024. STEALC, the new threat first detected in 2023, also gained traction, increasing its share from 2.65% to 13.33%. Despite these emerging threats, Redline remained the most widespread Infostealer responsible for 34.36% of all infectious diseases.
Woman using her credit card to shop (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
Best virus protection for MAC, PC, iPhone and Android – CyberGaipic
Infostealer malware is rapidly increasing at an unimaginable pace
By August 2024, researchers estimated that 15.9 million devices had been attacked by Infostealer malware in 2023. However, by March 2025, that number had risen to 1,649 million, 3.69% ahead of previous forecasts. The new log files for 2023 are still appearing on dark web platforms, suggesting that the actual number of infections is even higher than expected. As of March 2025, researchers have tracked more than 9 million infections since 2024. The final count is expected to exceed the number in 2023, but it is not a big margin.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Hacker illustration at work (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
From Tiktok to Trouble: How to weaponize your online data against you
6 Ways to Protect Your Bank Cards and Passwords
With the astonishing increase in Infostealer's malware infections and the increasing sophistication of cybercrime, it is important to take proactive steps to protect your sensitive information. Below are six effective ways to protect your bank cards and passwords.
1. It has powerful antivirus software: Periodically install and update powerful antivirus software on all devices. Antivirus software helps detect and prevent Infosteeler malware infections. Make sure to run regular scans to identify and remove potential threats. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that have potentially access to your personal information is to install anti-virus software on all your devices. This protection can also warn you that it will phish email and ransomware scams and keep your personal information and digital assets safe. Get the best 2025 Antivirus Protection Winners picks for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
2. Use a virtual card for online payments: Instead of using an actual bank card, you generate a virtual card via a bank or a service like Privacy.com. These temporary cards limit exposure in the event of a data breach.
Click here to get your Fox business on the go
3. Enable transaction alerts and spending limits. Set up real-time alerts for card transactions and daily spending limits. This way you will be notified of any unauthorized activities.
4. Do not save card details in your browser: Infostealers targets Autfill data in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. Always reject pop-ups that ask you to “remember payment info” and use a secure password manager instead. You can also take advantage of additional digital security measures such as: Two-factor authentication. New types of authentication, such as Face ID and Touch ID, are slowly replacing passwords as a legitimate means of granting access to sensitive financial information.
5. Be smart about passwords: Using all the password rules alone won't prevent you from breaching, but you won't get hurt because you don't know exactly what information the burglar is looking for. You should change it frequently using strong passwords. It is recommended to use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords. Get my details Find the best expert reviewed password managers of 2025 here.
6. Investing in Personal Data Deletion Services: Although there is no service that promises to delete all data from the internet, deleting a deletion service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of continuously deleting information from hundreds of sites over a long period of time. Check out our top picks for data deletion services.
Outmart hackers trying to steal your identity
Important points of cart
Infostealers are a huge threat to everyone online and they are also very common. However, this malware is easy to be fooled, as it often disguises legitimate apps and uses social engineering tricks. Even the most cautious individuals can fall victim to a well-run campaign. The best way to stay safe is to pay attention when browsing online, downloading apps, and creating online transactions. Using tools like password managers and anti-virus software can also help you improve your security and make your life easier.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Do you use a password manager or rely on memory or writing down your passwords? Write us and let us know cyberguy.com/contact.
For more information about my tech tips and security alerts, sign up for our free Cyberguy Report Newsletter cyberguy.com/newsletter.
Please ask your cart or tell us what stories you would like us to cover.
Follow your cart on his social channels:
Answers to the most accused Cyber Guy questions:
New from Cart:
Copyright 2025 cyberguy.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
