Why are infostealers dangerous for organisations?

If an employee's device is infected with an infostealer – even if it’s not a managed device – the attacker has the same access to internal systems and data as the employee does through that device. This access poses a significant risk for organisations and can result in data breaches and hacks.

Personal data stored in local files on the device can, for example, be stolen. Additionally, the attacker can exploit the infected employee's technical access to internal systems, which poses a significant risk, especially with devices used by IT staff. Furthermore, by abusing active sessions to impersonate the employee, attackers can use deception to gain further access to sensitive systems and information.

One of the biggest dangers of an infostealer is that it’s a silent threat. Unlike other forms of malware, such as ransomware, which often draw immediate attention due to their destructive nature, infostealers operate in the background, targeting a company’s most valuable asset: data.

If an infostealer gains unnoticed access to an organisation’s systems, it can steal information for months before being detected. By that time, the damage is often extensive. This includes not only passwords but also financial information, customer data, internal communications, and access to confidential systems. Such data breaches can lead to reputational damage, legal issues, and fines.

Additionally, infostealers create an entry point for more sophisticated attacks. The stolen data can be used by cybercriminals to penetrate deeper into a company’s infrastructure, for example, by impersonating an employee or infiltrating sensitive networks. This allows them to continue with sabotage or espionage without the organisation realising it.

In short, infostealers pose a silent and prolonged threat. Companies without adequate protection risk having their most valuable assets stolen or misused, potentially leading to severe financial and operational consequences.