KeyBase Keylogger

The KeyBase Keylogger is a spyware product rented for use by third parties, who may employ the KeyBase Keylogger to attack targets at their discretion. Current campaigns using the KeyBase Keylogger have been connected to civilian industrial sectors, as well as to many first world countries. Despite its relatively simple code, the KeyBase Keylogger still is rated as a significant privacy and security risk, and malware analysts would discourage any efforts at deleting the KeyBase Keylogger without proper anti-malware protection.

The KeyBase Keylogger: Every Con-Artist's New Base of Keylogging Operations

One of the most significant functions in any spyware program is the ability to record and collect typed information, an act known as keylogging. Many threat projects focus on this feature above all else, although some, like the KeyBase Keylogger, also include a handful of other features. In their analysis of the KeyBase Keylogger, malware experts found most of its features to focus on user-friendliness for its administrators. Simultaneously, the KeyBase Keylogger's developer neglects basic, exploitable security loopholes that other PC security companies have used to examine this threat.

The KeyBase Keylogger includes many of the standard features of any keylogger-based spyware, such as:

• The KeyBase Keylogger may record typed data, as well as data saved in the Clipboard (for example, via Copy and Paste actions). This data may be uploaded automatically to any of dozens of third parties-controlled C&C servers. The titles of open windows also may be monitored, which allows third parties to determine which program is related to the text input.
• The KeyBase Keylogger may achieve a persistent state on the infected PC by moving itself to the Windows Startup folder or modifying the Registry. In the former case, its file name is hardcoded as 'Important.exe,' which could allow victims to identify it.
• Like most modern keyloggers, the KeyBase Keylogger also may include a screen capture function for collecting visual data.
• PCs infected by the KeyBase Keylogger also may be in danger of being infected by further PC threats. The KeyBase Keylogger includes functions for downloading and launching other files, including, potentially, installers for threats.

The KeyBase Keylogger is rented out to other third parties for relatively cheap prices, driving its popularity in the threat market. As a result, malware analysts have seen operations for the KeyBase Keylogger around the globe.

Breaking a Third-Party's Key to Your Computer

Current KeyBase Keylogger campaigns are attacking institutions in countries ranging from the United States to Japan and Australia, along with most of Europe. Malware analysts often see such attacks distributing themselves via e-mail messages, which also is true of recent the KeyBase Keylogger campaigns. Potential victims may identify common tactics, such as fake bank tracking slips or shipping invoices, that request the opening of mislabeled file attachments.

Since the KeyBase Keylogger launches automatically and commences collecting information without any overt symptoms, PC users shouldn't anticipate being able to identify the KeyBase Keylogger on sight. General anti-malware and anti-spyware products should be able to detect the KeyBase Keylogger, which uses limited means of obfuscating its threatening activities. PC users that are removing the KeyBase Keylogger infections also should prepare themselves for taking any other steps needed to block any future exploitation of transferred information, such as having their accounts hacked with collected passwords.

Technical Details