Threat Database Trojans Trojan-PSW.Win32.Tepfer

Trojan-PSW.Win32.Tepfer

By Domesticus in Trojans

You may be sick of hearing about malware and the many strategies being employed daily, if not by the minute, to defraud and cheat you out of money and legal use of your system resources. However, cybercriminals love what they do and never tire of stealing your money, identity or system resources to further their personal goals. They've released a new threat to take advantage of the Boston terrorist attack and explosion, where the manhunt alone captivated more than 40 million of TV watchers alone. The attack continues to be covered by media channels across the board, which is why malware makers of Trojan-PSW.Win32.Tepfer feel it a good opportunity to capitalize on the emotions of PC users so anxious to learn more about those responsible, particularly the why, when and how.

There is a rotation of subject matters, for example:

  • 2 Explosions at Boston Marathon
  • Explosion at Boston Marathon

A mix of the right keywords and tease can incite many PC users to click on malicious links that transport them to a malicious replica of a trusted Web page and URL. Trojan-PSW.Win32.Tepfer specifically routes victims to a page displaying YouTube videos reporting on the bombings, but the clip is just the lure because after 60 seconds, the victim is prompted to download a malicious executable, boston(dot)aviexe, better known and detected as Trojan-PSW.Win32.Tepfer. Trojan-PSW.Win32.Tepfer has friends in Taiwan, Argentina and Ukraine and attempts to make connection, most likely to get a party of the mayhem going. Cybercriminals often start up domains for malicious intent, especially immediately following a worldwide calamity or a high profile incident. Security research indicates more than 234 potentially malicious domains that were activated following the Boston attack. Some are squatters (domains secure to block malicious use), others parkers (awaiting word from hackers or cybercrooks on use) and yet others maliciously mining Bitcoins, an underground currency used to buy illegal products and services out of the purview of the law.

Trojan-PSW.Win32.Tepfer is a 'password stealer' and may be also charged to carry out other criminal acts, such as theft of vital data in the browser cache, harvesting of email addresses or collection of system data aiding in future planning of targeted attacks.

These days, because of the sophistication and evolution of malware strategies, it is easy to fall prey to a deceptive link. However, if you fortify the security on your system, the guard of your choice will use a mix of scanning techniques to catch imposters, malicious programs presenting as something helpful when, in fact, sinister.

Faceless malicious programs like Trojan-PSW.Win32.Tepfer are designed to stay under the radar. Therefore, you must be diligent and quickly react to strange system behaviors, such as sudden slowing or Web pages freezing up. If you didn't ask for a foreign scanner, do not play along. Fake scanners can be brought on by malware like Trojan-PSW.Win32.Tepfer.

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