Digital standards

Hackers are now using fake versions of familiar software and documents to spread a new info-stealing malware known as PXA Stealer.

First discovered by Cisco Talos, the malware campaign is believed to be operated by Vietnamese-speaking cybercriminals and has already compromised more than 4,000 unique IP addresses across 62 countries.

Instead of targeting businesses alone, the attackers are now focusing on ordinary users in countries including the US, South Korea, and the Netherlands.

PXA Stealer is written in Python and designed to collect passwords, credit card data, cookies, autofill information, and even crypto wallet details from infected systems.

It spreads by sideloading malware into files like Microsoft Word executables or ZIP archives that also contain legitimate-looking programs such as Haihaisoft PDF Reader.

The malware uses malicious DLL files to gain persistence through the Windows Registry and downloads additional harmful files via Dropbox. After infection, it uses Telegram to exfiltrate stolen data, which is then sold on the dark web.

Once activated, the malware even attempts to open a fake PDF in Microsoft Edge, though the file fails to launch and shows an error message — by that point, it has already done the damage.

To avoid infection, users should avoid clicking unknown email links and should not open attachments from unfamiliar senders. Instead of saving passwords and card details in browsers, a trusted password manager is a safer choice.

Although antivirus software remains helpful, hackers in the campaign have used sophisticated methods to bypass detection, making careful online behaviour more important than ever.

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