Shylock banking malware can detect remote desktops
Shylock, a trojan dropper that steals bank account information, is employing a new trick to avoid detection: hiding from researchers who may be studying it via remote desktop connections.
Initially discovered in February 2011 by security firm Trusteer, Shylock delivers web injects into victims' browsers and logs keystrokes.The malware is concealed in endpoint device memory files and rewrites Windows processes. Shylock, named after the ruthless money lender in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, also deletes its installation files, runs solely in memory, and begins the process again once the infected machine reboots.
George Tubin, senior security strategist at Trusteer, told SCMagazine.com on Wednesday that Shylock appears to be a widespread threat largely undiscovered by victims, as it sits idly on their computers until they visit targeted banking sites. Victims mostly are customers of U.S. and European financial institutions, he said, and the attacks are often initiated by phishing emails or drive-by downloads.
