They steal $ 24 million by hacking the Windows clipboard

Following the emergence of cryptocurrencies, and in particular Bitcoin, many scams have been developed by cybercriminals to try to steal the content of these digital wallets, reports

relayed by

Wednesday.

Recently, Avast alerted users to malware.

The latter uses access to the clipboard of Windows computers to deceive individuals in the context of their cryptocurrency transactions.

This software is based in particular on a module originally implemented in the MyKings botnet, a particularly tough hacking tool.

“MyKings is a long-standing and relentless botnet that has been active since at least 2016,” Avast experts said.

With this access to the computer's clipboard, hackers can analyze if it contains an address corresponding to a cryptocurrency wallet.

Users prompted to verify copied / pasted addresses

This address, composed of a complex string of characters, is in fact often directly copied from one place that can be pasted elsewhere, in particular to indicate the wallet to which one wishes to make a transaction. At this point, the hackers then replace the copied address in the clipboard with the address of their own wallet. The user, generally not noticing the change, therefore sends his transfer directly to the account of the criminals.

In this way, hackers would have managed to steal nearly $ 24 million in cryptocurrency, which today invites Avast to warn the owners of this virtual currency.

"In response to this malicious activity, we want to increase awareness of this type of fraud and urge people to always double-check transaction details before sending funds," analysts working for the said. anti-virus.

Last April, similarly functioning malware had already been pinned by Avast.

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• High-Tech

• Hacker

• Virtual currency

• Windows

• Bitcoin

• Piracy