Security News > 2021 > December > Botnet steals half a million dollars in cryptocurrency from victims

Botnet steals half a million dollars in cryptocurrency from victims
2021-12-16 13:16

The botnet uses a tactic called crypto clipping, which relies on malware to steal cryptocurrency during a transaction, says Check Point Research.

A new botnet variant discovered by cyber threat intelligence provider Check Point Research employs a unique method to steal cryptocurrency from its victims.

Known as Twizt, the variant has already stolen almost half a million dollars in cryptocurrency over a year, mostly from people in Ethiopia, Nigeria and India.

Once deployed, Twizt essentially acts on its own without any active command and control servers, which means the botnet can automatically widen its net by skirting past traditional security defenses.

To prey on crypto currency traders during an actual transaction, Twizt uses a technique called "Crypto clipping." Here, the botnet employs malware that automatically replaces the intended wallet address with the address of the cybercriminal, so the funds are unknowingly hijacked.

New botnet attack "Puts other IoT botnets to shame".


News URL

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/botnet-steals-half-a-million-dollars-in-cryptocurrency-from-victims/#ftag=RSS56d97e7