Cryptocurrency clipboard hijackers are a common malware threat to anyone copying and pasting cryptocurrency addresses when making a transaction. A new version of clipboard hijacking malware has been identified this week that may mean previous assessments of their risks are grossly underestimated.

The new version, spotted by Bleeping Computer, is potentially monitoring the clipboards of 2.3 million cryptocurrency users.

Operating system clipboards, like Windows, are at risk from the malware which can embed itself in an operating system from a number of sources including phishing or spam emails, application updates or applications themselves, and through visiting infected websites. Once embedded, the malware will watch for a user copying a cryptocurrency address from one application or website into another application, website, or wallet.

Clipboard hijacking malware is able to intercept the copy and paste of a cryptocurrency wallet address and replace the pasted wallet address with the address of a hacker’s wallet. If not spotted by the user making the transaction, the user could unwittingly send a volume of cryptocurrency to the hacker.

With no way to retrieve mistakenly sent cryptocurrencies, a victim could experience serious financial loss.

Cryptocurrency clipboard hijackers previously discovered by Bleeping Computer were potentially monitoring around 500,000 cryptocurrency addresses, making the new discovery substantial.

Traders and users of digital currencies should ensure they run adequate and completely up to date antivirus protection, which may help to identify the malware. When making a transaction, it is always best to compare any cryptocurrency address which is copied and pasted, checking to make sure that it matches the original address after it has been pasted into an application or website.

Clipboard hijacking malware is not the only threat to unsuspecting computer owners. Incidences of crypto jacking malware are also on the increase. A recent Kaspersky Labs report shows that crypto jacking, in which malware can steal computer power and resources to mine cryptocurrency and send it directly to hackers, has increased by 44%.

The post 2.3 Million Cryptocurrency Addresses Could be at Risk from New Malware appeared first on UNHASHED.

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