Also known as:
Category: Malware
Type: Information stealer
Platform: Windows, Linux, macOS
Variants: –
Damage potential: Stolen data, unauthorized access to accounts, financial loss, identity theft
Overview
Titan Stealer is an information stealer that can extract data from browsers, crypto wallets, screenshots, grabbed files, and FTP clients. Based on the Go programming language (Golang), Titan Stealer can run across platforms and affect various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Titan Stealer emerged in 2022 and is often employed as builder malware. Hackers can customize it to target specific data saved within the victim's device. For instance, they can configure Titan Stealer to collect user credentials and authentication data stored in web browsers or gather personal and corporate data saved on the cloud or device. At other times, hackers may design the malware to target financial data, such as credit card and cryptocurrency wallet details.
Titan Stealer also uses a process howling technique, which allows the malware to inject its malicious payload into legitimate processes, such as software updates and reboots.
Possible symptoms
As common for information stealers, Titan Stealer is designed to remain undetected for as long as possible. Its elusive nature means the signs of Titan Stealer infection are hard to pinpoint. However, they are mainly related to system behavior:
- Changes in browser behavior, such as new browser extensions, unexpected changes in browser settings, or pop-ups opening more often than usual.
- Unusual network traffic.
- Sluggish system performance or frequent crashes.
- Disabled antivirus or anti-malware software.
- Unfamiliar files appearing in system folders.
Sources of infection
Titan Stealer most often gets onto a victim's device through phishing and social engineering techniques. For instance, unsuspecting users may open malicious links, attachments, or payloads coming from what seem legitimate email addresses, websites, or ads. Titan Stelar can also break into the system through its unpatched vulnerabilities or disguised as software or browser updates.
Protection
To protect yourself from Titan Stealer, always browse with caution and keep your software updated.
- Do not click on suspicious links or open attachments from unfamiliar senders.
- Do not download software from unofficial sources.
- Use NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro feature to block malicious websites, scan downloads for malware, and avoid malicious pop-ups and ads.
- Create strong and unique passwords for your online accounts.
- Keep your software up to date.
- Enable MFA (multi-factor authentication) to prevent attackers from accessing your accounts, even if they stole your login credentials.
Removal
If you think Titan Stealer has infected your device, you need to act quickly to limit the damage it can cause.
- Disconnect your device from the internet to stop the malware from communicating with its control server.
- Boot into safe mode if you're using Windows.
- Run a full system scan using a reputable antivirus solution.
- Remove malicious files, registry entries, and persistence files and terminate suspicious startup programs, processes, and scheduled tasks.
- If possible, restore compromised files from backups.
Make sure to change the passwords of your most sensitive accounts if you suspect Titan Stealer is targeting your login credentials saved online. If you notice suspicious activity within your online banking accounts, you should immediately inform your bank and credit card company about the possible malware infection and freeze the affected accounts.
If you're not sure if you've successfully removed Titan Stealer from your device, consider getting help from IT professionals.
