In recent years, the silent theft of digital information has become one of the biggest threats in the world of cybersecurity. In 2025, a type of malware known as an infostealer is topping the list of the most common attacks worldwide. These programs infiltrate computers and devices without leaving a trace, with the goal of stealing personal data, passwords, and even banking information.
Among all the active variants today, one in particular is raising alarm among experts and users: SnakeStealer. Although it's not new, this malware has grown in popularity because of its effectiveness, ease of use, and its distribution model based on “malware-as-a-service” (MaaS), which allows any cybercriminal (even those without technical experience) to launch large-scale attacks.
At TecnetOne we want you to know about this threat and, above all, to know how to protect yourself. That’s why, in this article, we explain what SnakeStealer is, how it works, and what you can do to prevent your data from falling into the wrong hands.
SnakeStealer: Malware That Came Back Stronger
SnakeStealer is not a newcomer. This malware first appeared in 2019 and has been circulating in the cybercrime world ever since. At that time, it already showed signs of being a serious threat, especially because of how it was distributed: via phishing campaigns that included malicious files hosted on Discord. All it took was for a victim to open a fake email with an attachment for everything to be set in motion.
Over time, SnakeStealer’s creators didn’t stay idle. They refined their distribution strategy, incorporating more sophisticated methods to deceive users: password-protected compressed files, documents in uncommon formats like .RTF or .ISO, and even fake programs and cracks that many people download from untrustworthy sites.
But what really fueled its comeback was the fall of Agent Tesla, another infostealer that was very popular until recently. With that gap in the criminal “market,” many forum operators and Telegram channel admins began recommending SnakeStealer as a reliable, user-friendly, and highly effective alternative.
From that point on, its use skyrocketed, and in 2025 SnakeStealer became the most detected infostealer globally.
How does SnakeStealer work? This is how the infostealer operates in 2025
SnakeStealer is not just any malware. What makes it so dangerous is the set of advanced functions it brings with it, which turn it into a threat that’s hard to detect and remove.
To begin with, it has the ability to disable processes related to antivirus software or malware analysis tools, allowing it to remain undetected for a long time. In addition, it’s smart enough to check whether it’s being executed in a virtual machine, a technique commonly used by security researchers to analyze threats without risking real devices. If it detects that it’s in an analysis environment, it simply doesn’t act.
Once it manages to sneak into the system, its priority is to stay active without raising suspicion. To do this, it modifies Windows startup registry entries, ensuring that the malware runs every time you turn on your computer.
From that moment, it begins its real work: stealing sensitive data. SnakeStealer can access:
- Saved passwords in web browsers such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox
- Email client accounts
- Credentials for messaging apps like Discord
- Wi-Fi passwords stored on the machine
- Data you’ve recently copied to the clipboard
Additionally, it includes keylogger functionality (it records every key you press), screenshot capture, and extraction of important files without you noticing.
And as if that weren’t enough, it also facilitates the sending of all that stolen information. The attacker can choose several methods to receive the data: uploading it to an FTP server, sending it to a private Telegram channel, or even receiving it as compressed files by email.
In 2025, SnakeStealer led the wave of password theft.
A Growing Challenge for Cybersecurity
The rise of SnakeStealer is not an isolated case. In fact, it reflects an increasingly troubling trend: cybercrime is becoming professionalized. Thanks to the malware-as-a-service (MaaS) model, today anyone (even without technical knowledge) can access advanced tools and launch large-scale attacks. This has made attacks more frequent, diverse, and harder to stop.
Moreover, SnakeStealer has a modular architecture, which means it can easily adapt to new infection techniques or update itself to evade security systems. It isn’t limited to a specific type of victim or region—it can target users anywhere in the world, regardless of geographic location, profile, or device.
That makes it a truly global, persistent, and difficult-to-trace threat.
Read more: New Klopatra Malware on Android Uses VNC to Control Devices
How to Protect Yourself from SnakeStealer and Reduce the Risks
In light of this situation, all is not lost. At TecnetOne, we believe that applying certain preventive measures can make a big difference in avoiding infection. Here are some key recommendations:
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Keep everything up to date: Make sure your operating system and programs are always updated. Updates often fix vulnerabilities that this type of malware could exploit.
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Use a good antivirus: Having a reliable security solution on your computer and mobile device is one of the most effective ways to detect and block threats before they can cause harm.
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Be cautious with suspicious emails: Email remains one of the main methods for spreading malware like SnakeStealer. Don’t open attachments or click on links from unknown senders. And if you receive a strange message from a company you know, it’s best to verify directly through their official website or another trusted contact channel.
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Enable two-step authentication (MFA): Whenever possible, activate multi-factor authentication on your accounts. Even if someone steals your password, they’ll still need that second step to log in. It’s an extra layer of security that makes a real difference.
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Change your passwords if something seems off: Notice anything unusual? Think you might have been targeted by an infostealer?
Change all your passwords from a clean device (not the one that might be infected), close all active sessions, and start monitoring activity on sensitive accounts such as email, social media, and online banking.
At the end of the day, the best antivirus is still digital common sense. Educating yourself, staying alert, and adopting good online security habits can make all the difference and help you stay one step ahead of threats like SnakeStealer.
And there’s no better time to remember this than now, in October, when we celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on our digital practices, learn to identify risks, and strengthen our protection both personally and professionally. Cybersecurity isn’t just for experts—it starts with small, everyday actions that all of us can take.
