A Rise in Password Stealers: How to Combat This Dangerous Malware

It’s not easy to avoid harm’s way when browsing the internet. Even if we’re cautious and use common sense, we can still slip up by clicking somewhere we shouldn’t, risking it all. Although our words may sound alarming, there are many ways to stay safe—just follow our advice.

Among the many dangers we face today is the threat posed by password thieves, a very specific type of malware with a clear mission: to infiltrate our devices and monitor our passwords.

Password Thieves: What They Are and How to Spot Them

Password thieves are malware or spyware that installs itself secretly on a computer. They are also Trojan software that finds its way across a network—someone opens the wrong file in their email or runs a program downloaded from a suspicious website.

Without the user’s knowledge or consent, the file installs on their computer and starts operating in the background, undetected. It may take months to realize that passwords or data have been stolen.

Password thieves aim to capture authentication credentials but often also look for any type of confidential information.

The malware tracks login information as credentials are entered. It runs silently, gathering data as it’s typed into the machine.

The spyware actively monitors login requests, records keystroke information, and funnels the collected data to a secondary website owned by the criminal.

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How to Avoid Installing a Password Thief and How to Fight Them

Below are some of the best password practices, as recommended by cybersecurity experts:

1. Store all your passwords in a password manager.
2. Never reuse the same password for more than one account.
3. Don’t rely on a pattern you simply tweak from one account to another (for instance, using the same password but adding a number at the end).
4. For security questions about passwords, don’t answer what they ask you. Chances are, you’ll always respond the same way, and that’s another vulnerability. Instead, give a nonsensical answer and record it in your password manager, noting which question you selected with the associated answer. For example, if your cat’s name was Socks, for the security question, pretend it’s “Epi,” and jot that down in your password manager so you can remember it in the future.
5. If a website offers two-factor authentication, enable it. Even if an attacker obtains your username and password, this secondary authentication will keep them out of your account.

While these tips help keep our accounts safe and secure from hackers trying to steal our email, bank, or Netflix account, here’s the best advice for avoiding password thieves:

The Best Way to Detect Password Thieves

The most reliable way to spot password thieves before they cause damage is to use an up-to-date antivirus on all your computers. The antivirus searches for and detects this malware. When it identifies a password thief, it quarantines it (safeguarding and isolating it) and then safely removes it from the computer.

It’s crucial to have antivirus software installed on every computer in your household—yours, your partner’s, and your children’s—but it won’t help much if it’s not correctly configured. Make sure the antivirus regularly scans your devices and updates itself.

When choosing an antivirus (we personally always recommend Avast Free Antivirus), look for one that performs periodic scans and runs in real-time on your computer.

That’s because if it’s running in the background while you’re working—like Avast Free Antivirus does—it can monitor active processes and compare them to its threat definitions, detecting password-stealing software on the spot.

Key Takeaways

In short, to avoid getting ensnared by password thieves, follow these guidelines, and no hacker will be able to breach your computer or compromise your cybersecurity: don’t click on suspicious links, don’t store your passwords in plain text, use a password manager, and use antivirus software.

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Cybersecurity is currently the most critical element of the security that surrounds us. In 2025, we simply can’t live without it, given that we manage every aspect of our lives digitally—from medical issues to finances.

Cybersecurity Fan Insight:

• Using a password manager not only keeps your credentials safe but also protects you from common phishing tactics.
• Real-time antivirus protection is essential because malware evolves rapidly, and signature-based detection alone might miss newly released variants.
• Combining strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and real-time antivirus ensures layered security—a must-have strategy for defending against today’s sophisticated cyber threats.