Unfortunately, viruses and other nasty forms of malware are constant threats in today’s Internet-connected world.
If your computer is connected to the web, you can safely assume that it’s being bombarded with attacks at all times.
Luckily, most modern antivirus programs are pretty effective at keeping most of the nasties off your system, but every once in a while something malicious will slip through their defenses.
The latest malware to hit the scene is called LokiBot, and it’s one of the most dangerous keyloggers ever.
In short, a keylogger monitors the keys you press on your keyboard and sends that information back to a hacker via the Internet.
The info stolen is literally anything and everything you type on your keyboard.
That includes usernames, passwords, credit card details and any other sensitive personal or financial information you happen to type.
However, LokiBot isn’t just a regular, run-of-the-mill keylogger because it does more than just steal your keystrokes.
It also does all of the following:
- Create a “backdoor” into your computer to allow other malware to sneak in
- Steal passwords and other sensitive info from your web browser, even if the info is just displayed on the screen and not typed
- Steal passwords you aren’t even actively using from some browsers’ built-in password managers
- Monitor your instant messages and chat sessions – and more
As you can see, LokiBot is one truly nasty piece of malware. It’s so nasty in fact that the Department of Homeland Security posted this warning about it.
But all of the above being said, there’s good news as well…
The LokiBot malware is typically spread via malicious emails and fraudulent websites. That means you can easily avoid it simply by learning to recognize malicious emails and malicious websites.
This post explains how to recognize and avoid malicious emails.
Malicious websites are a bit more difficult to detect until you’ve actually landed on one. This post explains how to safely exit a malicious website after you realize you’ve landed on one.
The problem is this malware is so pervasive that there’s a good chance it’s already on your Windows PC.
The good news is most good antivirus programs have already updated their Definition Files to recognize LokiBot infections.
That means if LokiBot is already on your system you should be able to remove it by first updating your antivirus software and then running a thorough scan.
I recommend that you also run a couple of “second opinion” malware scans as well just to make sure LokiBot is really gone.
If you use Windows’ native Windows Defender security app as your antivirus program you should be in good shape as long as your computer has all the latest Windows Updates installed.
If you haven’t installed the latest Windows Updates I recommend that you do so ASAP. That will update Windows Defender and allow it to find and remove LokiBot if it happens to be on your PC.
Bottom line: For obvious reasons, keyloggers in general are extremely dangerous. LokiBot is more dangerous than most because of its additional nasty capabilities.
This is why it’s so important to always remain diligent about avoiding malicious emails and not clicking links on malicious websites.
And just as important, keep your Windows installation and antivirus program up-to-date at all times!
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