Arkei Stealer

The Arkei Stealer is a type of malware, specifically designed to infiltrate and exploit computer systems. This malicious software, written in C++, first emerged in May 2018 and has since been forked or rebranded several times. The malware can infect a system through various means such as suspicious downloads, emails, or websites, often without the user's awareness. Once it gains access, it has the potential to steal personal information, disrupt operations, or even hold data hostage for ransom. Vidar is an evolved version of the Arkei Stealer, developed for Windows-based systems and also written in C++. According to Specops, Vidar has adopted and improved upon the original Arkei Stealer's capabilities, making it a more potent threat. Like its predecessor, Vidar can compromise a system and perform harmful activities, including data theft and disruption of system operations. In terms of distribution methods, Vidar is often disseminated through phishing campaigns disguised as Microsoft Compiled HTML Help (CHM) files. These deceptive files serve as a vehicle for the malware to infiltrate unsuspecting users' systems. Once downloaded and opened, the CHM file releases the Vidar malware into the user's computer, where it can begin its damaging activities.