Microsoft Windows

A significant alert has been issued for Microsoft Windows users regarding the Snake Keylogger, an advanced keylogger capable of extracting sensitive information from web browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. It logs keystrokes, captures credentials, and monitors clipboard activity. The malware has already infiltrated millions of PCs and activates upon system restart, disguising itself among benign Windows processes. Fortinet reports that the Snake Keylogger has been circulating since 2020, infiltrating systems through malicious Office documents or PDFs attached to emails. If opened with macros enabled or using vulnerable software, the malware executes. It employs AutoIt scripting to obfuscate its operations and sets its attributes to hidden to complicate detection. The keylogger places a file in the Windows Startup folder to ensure it launches automatically with each restart, maintaining access to the compromised system. Once installed, it checks its environment to capture specific security credentials through keystrokes, clipboard data, or browser autofill information, transmitting this data to its handlers. Fortinet has observed the Snake Keylogger in various countries, including China, Turkey, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Spain. Users are advised to keep security software updated and exercise caution with email attachments from untrusted sources.