ClipBanker is a Clip Banking malware which secretly monitors, collects and modifies clipboard information within infected devices. This malware is a manifestation of that larger clipboard hijackers malware family. It would be a dangerous and damaging blow to the cryptocurrency community. Cybercriminals take advantage of this technique to silently replace legitimate cryptocurrency wallet addresses with malicious ones. Consequently, unsuspecting users unknowingly deposit their assets directly into the thieves’ hands.
ClipBanker takes a more proactive approach by continuously monitoring clipboard activity on a victim’s device. It does this by always scanning for characteristics that match crypto wallet addresses. Using cybercriminals’ patented approach, the malware exploits this flaw by discreetly changing the copied wallet address to that of the attacker. This low-key tech trickery can cause unwitting users to ultimately transfer their cryptocurrency to criminals without ever knowing the change has been made.
Being an invisible robber, ClipBanker works in the background by preying on the often taken for granted copy/copy/paste action. Its power lies in its straightforwardness. It is extremely dangerous to everyone who regularly copies and pastes cryptocurrency wallet addresses as it doesn’t need complex user interactions or escalated privileges.
Several signs can indicate a ClipBanker infection. The most obvious example of this is if a copied wallet address doesn’t match when pasted. You might experience symptoms such as sluggish system performance and unexpected resource consumption. Your clipboard may act strangely, pasting empty or modified content. In addition, users can increasingly be surprised to see their crypto transactions directed toward unsolicited or unfamiliar addresses.
ClipBanker as a whole was one such component of an ongoing campaign to deploy a cryptocurrency miner and ClipBanker malware. One hijacks system resources for cryptomining, while the other hijacks clipboard wallet addresses. The attack was global in coverage but explicitly targeted Russian-speaking users, with the attacker’s scheme netting thousands of possible victims discovered in just three months.
Users can even remove ClipBanker with tools specifically designed to help users find and remove clipboard hijackers. These tools allow them to track down and isolate specific strains of ClipBanker. Testing the clipboard using common scripts and commands is another way to find ClipBanker malware.
