How Information Stealers Are Structured to Steal Data and Evade Detection

Summary

A DarkOwl explainer outlines common information-stealer modules for command-and-control, data collection, encryption, exfiltration, and evasion, and describes how they can support credential and financial-data theft.

Key points

• The article describes a modular architecture with core engine, communication, data collection, encryption, exfiltration, and evasion components.
• Stealers may collect credentials, personal and financial information, device details, and data from browsers, system files, and installed apps.
• Communication modules can receive commands from a C2 server and transmit stolen data through covert channels.
• Encryption may protect stolen data in transit and hinder interception or detection.
• The article identifies polymorphism, obfuscation, anti-debugging, and checks for virtualization or analysis tools as evasion techniques.
• It presents these behaviors as general examples, not analysis of a specific stealer or campaign.

MITRE ATT&CK