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What Is an Infostealer, and What Data Can It Steal?

Infostealers can collect saved passwords, session cookies, payment details and, in some campaigns, files, app data or cryptocurrency keys. Learn how they spread and what to do if you suspect an infection.
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An infostealer is malware that collects information from an infected device and sends it to an attacker. It often targets browser data such as saved passwords, cookies, session tokens, autofill details and payment information, but some families also search files, cryptocurrency wallets and other applications. What it can take depends on the malware, device and campaign—not every infostealer steals every kind of data.

What data can an infostealer steal?

Infostealers are built to collect selected information rather than necessarily take control of a device. Microsoft’s 2023 Digital Defense Report describes browser-stored data as a central target. Microsoft’s analysis of Lumma Stealer shows how some campaigns reach further, depending on their configuration.

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  • Saved usernames and passwords: Credentials stored in browsers or targeted applications may be collected.
  • Cookies and session tokens: These can preserve an authenticated session, potentially letting an attacker impersonate the signed-in user.
  • Autofill and form data: Information retained or entered in a browser can include personal details.
  • Payment information: Some stealers seek credit-card information or data from financial applications.
  • Files and application data: Depending on the family, targets can include PDFs, office documents, and data from email, VPN, FTP or messaging applications such as Telegram.
  • Cryptocurrency wallet data: Wallet files, browser extensions and local private keys may be targeted.
  • Device details: Operating-system version, processor information, locale and installed applications can help attackers profile a device.
  • Developer and cloud secrets: Microsoft has documented macOS campaigns targeting Keychain data, SSH keys and cloud-configuration artifacts.

Microsoft’s May 21, 2025 analysis of Lumma Stealer describes credential, token and other data collection. Its findings concern particular malware and campaigns; they should not be read as a list of capabilities present in every infostealer.

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Can a stolen cookie bypass MFA?

It can undermine the protection MFA provides for an already authenticated session. A password is used to authenticate; a session cookie or token can represent a session after authentication. If an attacker obtains usable session data, they may be able to access that account without entering the password or receiving a new MFA prompt.

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That is not the same as defeating every MFA method in every situation, and it does not make MFA pointless. MFA remains valuable account protection. The risk is that malware on a device may expose a live session and other data beyond what an MFA prompt protects. Malwarebytes explains this session-cookie risk in its June 3, 2026 infostealer explainer.

How do infostealers get onto a device?

Delivery methods include both familiar scams and deceptive software instructions. Microsoft’s 2025 Lumma reporting documents phishing and ClickFix-style delivery; its February 2, 2026 report on macOS campaigns describes fake applications and terminal prompts, among other techniques. Malwarebytes also identifies malvertising, cracked software, fake updates and dubious downloads.

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  • Phishing messages and malicious links or attachments
  • Malicious advertisements and poisoned search results
  • Fake software, browser updates and installers
  • Cracked programs and game cheats
  • Prompts that trick someone into copying and running a command

Infostealers are not limited to Windows. Microsoft’s reporting documents campaigns aimed at macOS as well, using techniques and payloads that vary by campaign. A claim about one family or campaign does not establish that all infostealers behave the same way on every operating system.

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What can attackers do with stolen data?

Attackers may use credentials or session data to access accounts directly. Stolen material may also be sold or passed to other criminals, including access brokers. Depending on the victim and what was collected, downstream crimes can include account takeover, fraud, business email compromise or ransomware access. These are possible outcomes, not an inevitable result of every infection.

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How can you reduce the risk?

  • Get software from official sources. Navigate to the vendor’s site or use a trusted app store. Be cautious with sponsored results, pop-ups, unexpected updates, cracked software and cheat downloads.
  • Do not run commands from unsolicited prompts. Verify unexpected instructions through official documentation or a separate trusted channel before copying or executing anything.
  • Review browser extensions. Install only extensions you need and check whether their requested permissions make sense for their purpose.
  • Keep endpoint protection enabled and current. Microsoft recommends layered endpoint controls, including cloud-delivered protection in its threat guidance. These measures reduce risk but cannot guarantee that a device is safe.
  • Protect crypto keys separately. Microsoft Security Intelligence recommends a hardware wallet for cryptocurrency assets to keep private keys offline. It does not protect browser passwords, documents or other data on a computer.
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What should you do if you suspect an infection?

  1. Use a clean device for account recovery. If possible, do not change passwords or manage accounts from the device you suspect is infected.
  2. Secure high-value accounts first. Prioritize email and other accounts that can reset passwords or provide access to sensitive services.
  3. Change exposed passwords and revoke sessions. Where a service allows it, sign out other sessions or revoke active tokens as well as changing affected passwords.
  4. Get the affected device assessed. Ask trusted IT or security support to evaluate it before relying on it again, especially if it belongs to an employer or contains work data.

The appropriate cleanup depends on the operating system, device and suspected malware. Treat saved credentials and active sessions as potentially exposed, and avoid assuming that changing a password alone has removed malware from the device.

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