Recently, our diligent monitoring of dark web forums and Telegram channels led to a significant discovery: the emergence of a formidable menace known as The Meduza Stealer.
Imbued with its creator’s enigmatic aura, the malware, masterminded by an individual bearing the name ‘Meduza’, exhibits a meticulous focus on targeting Windows users and organizations. It possesses an unsettling reach, sparing only ten specific countries from its pernicious grasp.
The primary objective of The Meduza Stealer is nothing short of comprehensive data theft. Its insidious nature involves surreptitiously extracting a wide array of browser-related data, delving deep into users’ online activities. From the critical login credentials that safeguard our digital existence to the cherished records of browsing history and carefully curated bookmarks, no digital artifact is safe from its clutches. Even the seemingly impregnable fortresses of crypto wallet extensions, password managers, and 2FA extensions are rendered vulnerable.
Should this insidious threat go unchecked, the consequences for those ensnared within its grip could prove catastrophic. The aftermath may entail severe financial losses and the grim specter of large-scale data breaches, whose far-reaching implications could cast a somber shadow over the very fabric of affected organizations.
What is Meduza Stealer?
Meduza is a type of malware created using the C++ programming language, specifically designed to steal information. It targets various applications and clients, including web browsers and cryptocurrency wallets, with the objective of collecting sensitive data. This malicious software is available for purchase on the black market, priced at $199 per month.
Meduza is a sophisticated information-stealing malware that possesses an extensive range of data collection capabilities. It is specifically designed to target and extract sensitive information from various sources. This includes harvesting data from 100 different web browsers, as well as gathering information from 107 cryptocurrency wallets.
In addition to browser-related data, Meduza also has the ability to collect the browser history and bookmarks from the infected device, along with the autocomplete fields. It can also target specific applications, such as 2 Telegram clients, collecting data from those platforms.
Furthermore, Meduza has the capability to access and retrieve information from the Steam folder, Discord tokens, and data stored in 27 password managers. Additionally, it can extract OpenVPN configuration files.
| Name | Meduza Stealer |
| Detection | Trojan:Win32/Sabsik.TE.B!ml link |
| Damage | The Meduza Stealer brazenly pilfers users’ browsing activities, expertly extracting a diverse range of browser-related data. It leaves no stone unturned, targeting critical login credentials that serve as gatekeepers to our digital lives. It voraciously devours the valuable records of browsing history, meticulously curated bookmarks, and other digital artifacts that users hold dear. Shockingly, not even the seemingly fortified bastions of crypto wallet extensions, password managers, and 2FA extensions are spared from its insidious grasp. |
| Fix Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by Meduza Virus |
Overall, Meduza is a highly potent malware designed to gather a wide range of sensitive information, posing a significant threat to user privacy and security.
Marketing of the Meduza Stealer
The administrator behind the Meduza Stealer has employed sophisticated marketing tactics to promote this nefarious malware. In a calculated move to gain trust and instill confidence, they have undertaken comprehensive static and dynamic scans of the Meduza Stealer file using renowned antivirus software in the industry. Screenshots were then shared, demonstrating that this potent malware could successfully evade detection by top-tier antivirus solutions.
What sets the Meduza Stealer apart is its cunning operational design. Unlike many similar threats, this binary does not employ obfuscation techniques, making it more challenging to identify and trace. Additionally, it cleverly establishes a connection with the attacker’s server before initiating the theft of data from targeted machines. If this connection fails, the Meduza Stealer terminates promptly, further complicating efforts to trace its activities.
Meduza stealer – ads marketing in the forum
The marketing efforts extend beyond proving the malware’s efficacy. As evidenced by screenshots, the administrator has aggressively advertised the Meduza Stealer on various cybercrime forums and prominent Telegram channels, maximizing its exposure to potential users.
Possible damage
Users can face various detrimental consequences by having a computer infected with Meduza. The extensive data collection capabilities of Meduza put users at risk of financial loss, as it can compromise data from over a hundred cryptocurrency wallets, potentially leading to the theft of digital assets.
Moreover, the extraction of data from web browsers poses a significant threat to user privacy and increases the risk of identity theft and other issues. Additionally, the access to data from password managers further exacerbates the potential for unauthorized access to various online platforms, amplifying the risk of financial fraud and compromising personal accounts.
Examples of other information stealers are RootTeam Stealer, RedEnergy Stealer, and Zaraza.
How did Meduza infiltrate my computer?
Users may inadvertently acquire infected files or software from untrustworthy sources, such as suspicious websites or file-sharing platforms. These downloads have the potential to contain malware, which becomes active on the computer upon execution. In addition, cybercriminals commonly employ email to deceive users into interacting with harmful email attachments or clicking on malicious links.
Vulnerabilities in outdated software, particularly operating systems, and applications, create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit and gain unauthorized access to computers. Users who neglect to update their software regularly are more susceptible to infections.
Furthermore, visiting compromised or malicious websites can expose users to drive-by downloads, wherein malware is automatically and silently downloaded and installed without the user’s awareness or consent.
Upon successful infiltration of a targeted machine, the Meduza Stealer swiftly initiates its operations. The first crucial step involves performing a geolocation check. If the victim’s location is found within the stealer’s predefined list of excluded countries, the malware operation is promptly aborted. However, if the location does not match the list, the Meduza Stealer proceeds to the next phase.
In the subsequent phase, the Meduza Stealer verifies the accessibility of the attacker’s server. If the server is not reachable, the stealer promptly terminates its activities, ensuring it remains elusive. However, if the server is accessible, the Meduza Stealer proceeds to gather a vast array of information from the infected machine.
This comprehensive information-gathering process includes collecting system information, extracting browser data, capturing details from password managers, retrieving mining-related registry information, and compiling data regarding installed games. The Meduza Stealer meticulously compiles this extensive set of data, packaging it for uploading to the attacker’s server.
Once the data is securely packaged, it is dispatched to the attacker’s server, completing the Meduza Stealer’s operation within the infected machine. This comprehensive process allows the malicious actor to acquire a significant amount of sensitive information from the victim, potentially leading to severe consequences for the affected individual or organization.
The following table presents the names and corresponding country codes from the exclusion list:
Exclusion List:
| Country Name | Country Code |
|---|---|
| Russia | RU |
| Kazakhstan | KZ |
| Belarus | BY |
| Georgia | GE |
| Turkmenistan | TM |
| Uzbekistan | UZ |
| Armenia | AM |
| Kyrgyzstan | KG |
| Moldova | MD |
| Tajikistan | TJ |
How to avoid installation of malware?
In order to enhance your computer or device’s security, it is advisable to install trustworthy antivirus or anti-malware software. Keep this software up to date and perform regular scans to identify and eliminate potential threats. Exercise caution when interacting with links, downloading files, or opening email attachments, particularly if they originate from unfamiliar or suspicious sources.
Be observant with emails containing attachments or links. Carefully examine suspicious and irrelevant emails before clicking or opening anything. Also, it is recommended to avoid visiting untrusted websites and clicking on pop-up ads. Maintaining the latest updates for your operating system, web browsers, and other software is also important.
If you believe that your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Remove Meduza Stealer with Gridinsoft Anti-Malware
We have also been using this software on our systems ever since, and it has always been successful in detecting viruses. It has blocked the most common Stealers as shown from our tests with the software, and we assure you that it can remove Meduza Stealer as well as other malware hiding on your computer.
To use Gridinsoft for remove malicious threats, follow the steps below:
1. Begin by downloading Gridinsoft Anti-Malware, accessible via the blue button below or directly from the official website gridinsoft.com.
2.Once the Gridinsoft setup file (setup-gridinsoft-fix.exe) is downloaded, execute it by clicking on the file.
3.Follow the installation setup wizard's instructions diligently.
4. Access the "Scan Tab" on the application's start screen and launch a comprehensive "Full Scan" to examine your entire computer. This inclusive scan encompasses the memory, startup items, the registry, services, drivers, and all files, ensuring that it detects malware hidden in all possible locations.
Be patient, as the scan duration depends on the number of files and your computer's hardware capabilities. Use this time to relax or attend to other tasks.
5. Upon completion, Anti-Malware will present a detailed report containing all the detected malicious items and threats on your PC.
6. Select all the identified items from the report and confidently click the "Clean Now" button. This action will safely remove the malicious files from your computer, transferring them to the secure quarantine zone of the anti-malware program to prevent any further harmful actions.
8. If prompted, restart your computer to finalize the full system scan procedure. This step is crucial to ensure thorough removal of any remaining threats. After the restart, Gridinsoft Anti-Malware will open and display a message confirming the completion of the scan.
Remember Gridinsoft offers a 6-day free trial. This means you can take advantage of the trial period at no cost to experience the full benefits of the software and prevent any future malware infections on your system. Embrace this opportunity to fortify your computer's security without any financial commitment.
Trojan Killer for “Meduza Stealer” removal on locked PC
In situations where it becomes impossible to download antivirus applications directly onto the infected computer due to malware blocking access to websites, an alternative solution is to utilize the Trojan Killer application.
There is a really little number of security tools that are able to be set up on the USB drives, and antiviruses that can do so in most cases require to obtain quite an expensive license. For this instance, I can recommend you to use another solution of GridinSoft - Trojan Killer Portable. It has a 14-days cost-free trial mode that offers the entire features of the paid version. This term will definitely be 100% enough to wipe malware out.
Trojan Killer is a valuable tool in your cybersecurity arsenal, helping you to effectively remove malware from infected computers. Now, we will walk you through the process of using Trojan Killer from a USB flash drive to scan and remove malware on an infected PC. Remember, always obtain permission to scan and remove malware from a computer that you do not own.
Step 1: Download & Install Trojan Killer on a Clean Computer:
1. Go to the official GridinSoft website (gridinsoft.com) and download Trojan Killer to a computer that is not infected.
2. Insert a USB flash drive into this computer.
3. Install Trojan Killer to the "removable drive" following the on-screen instructions.
4. Once the installation is complete, launch Trojan Killer.
Step 2: Update Signature Databases:
5. After launching Trojan Killer, ensure that your computer is connected to the Internet.
6. Click "Update" icon to download the latest signature databases, which will ensure the tool can detect the most recent threats.
Step 3: Scan the Infected PC:
7. Safely eject the USB flash drive from the clean computer.
8. Boot the infected computer to the Safe Mode.
9. Insert the USB flash drive.
10. Run tk.exe
11. Once the program is open, click on "Full Scan" to begin the malware scanning process.
Step 4: Remove Found Threats:
12. After the scan is complete, Trojan Killer will display a list of detected threats.
13. Click on "Cure PC!" to remove the identified malware from the infected PC.
14. Follow any additional on-screen prompts to complete the removal process.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer:
15. Once the threats are removed, click on "Restart PC" to reboot your computer.
16. Remove the USB flash drive from the infected computer.
Congratulations on effectively removing Meduza Stealer and the concealed threats from your computer! You can now have peace of mind, knowing that they won't resurface again. Thanks to Gridinsoft's capabilities and commitment to cybersecurity, your system is now protected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Meduza Stealer is a sophisticated malware designed to steal sensitive information from infected machines.
Meduza Stealer targets various applications and clients, including web browsers, cryptocurrency wallets, password managers, and gaming-related data.
After infiltrating a machine, Meduza Stealer performs a geolocation check and verifies the accessibility of the attacker’s server. If conditions are favorable, it proceeds to gather extensive information and uploads it to the attacker’s server.
Meduza Stealer collects system information, browser data, password manager details, mining-related registry information, and information about installed games.
Meduza Stealer employs various techniques to evade detection, including the absence of obfuscation techniques and terminating its activities if the attacker’s server is not accessible.
Users face severe consequences such as financial loss, data breaches, identity theft, and unauthorized access to online platforms.
To protect against Meduza Stealer, ensure you have up-to-date antivirus or anti-malware software installed, exercise caution when interacting with suspicious links or email attachments, and keep your software and operating system updated.
Meduza Stealer does not target the following countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, and Tajikistan.
With the help of reputable antivirus software and security tools, Meduza Stealer can be detected and removed from infected machines.
If you suspect or have encountered Meduza Stealer, report the incident to your local law enforcement agency and inform your organization’s IT security team or cybersecurity authorities.
How to Remove Meduza Malware
Name: Meduza
Description: The Meduza Stealer brazenly pilfers users' browsing activities, expertly extracting a diverse range of browser-related data. It leaves no stone unturned, targeting critical login credentials that serve as gatekeepers to our digital lives. It voraciously devours the valuable records of browsing history, meticulously curated bookmarks, and other digital artifacts that users hold dear. Shockingly, not even the seemingly fortified bastions of crypto wallet extensions, password managers, and 2FA extensions are spared from its insidious grasp. The Meduza Stealer's voracity knows no bounds, leaving users vulnerable to significant data breaches and the potential fallout that follows.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Malware
