What is:Creepware
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What is Creepware
Creepware (also known as a remote access trojan or RAT) is malicious software that is installed on the victim's device without their knowledge and allows an attacker to access and control the hacked device (computer, tablet, laptop, smartphone or other device, for example, IoT - Internet of things) remotely.
The acronym RAT can be an abbreviation for Remote Access/Administration Trojan (trojan with remote access/administration functions), and for Remote Access/Administration Tool (tool for remote access/administration). The difference between remote access tools and remote access trojans is that the latter are installed secretly and used for illegal and/or malicious purposes, while remote access tools are used for authorized actions and for legitimate purposes, such as technical support, connecting to your home or workplace computer while traveling, etc.
How creepware works
Creepware uses a model of work called client-server, but it distorts the usual idea of how this model works, i.e. when a user connects to a server that provides some kind of service. In the case of creepware, the victim's device becomes a server, and the attacker's device works as a client. The "service" provided to the attacker are information or unauthorized actions on the victim's device.
What are the features of creepware?
Creepware provides the attacker with access to the following elements on a compromised device:
- files;
- processes and services;
- clipboard;
- network connections;
- registry;
- connected peripherals (printers, webcams, audio recording devices, etc.).
In addition, creepware allows the attacker to remotely monitor the compromised device, namely:
- keep a log of keystrokes pressed;
- take screenshots of the screen;
- record video from the connected webcam;
- record audio from the connected microphone;
- steal passwords;
- download and upload files from/to the device;
- open web pages;
- display messages on the screen;
- play audio messages;
- reboot or turn off the compromised device.
The main goals of using creepware
Information theft
Creepware allows the attacker to steal information both contained in the files and entered by users from the keyboard or recorded by connected devices.
Using device resources
A compromised device can be used for DDoS attacks, spamming, cryptocurrency mining, etc.
Voyeurism
The webcam on the victim's device can be used for secret recording.
Blackmail
Information stolen from the device can be used to blackmail the victim.
