Cybersecurity agency Malwarebytes has warned of a brand new type of crypto-stealing malware hidden inside a “cracked” model of TradingView Premium, software program that gives charting instruments for monetary markets.
The scammers are lurking on crypto subreddits, posting hyperlinks to Home windows and Mac installers for “TradingView Premium Cracked,” which is laced with malware aimed toward stealing private information and draining crypto wallets, Jerome Segura, a senior safety researcher at Malwarebytes, stated in a March 18 weblog publish.
“We’ve got heard of victims whose crypto wallets had been emptied and had been subsequently impersonated by the criminals who despatched phishing hyperlinks to their contacts,” he added.
Fraudsters declare the applications are free and have been cracked straight from their official model, however they’re truly riddled with malware. Supply: Malwarebytes
As a part of the snare, the fraudsters declare the applications are free and have been cracked straight from their official model, unlocking premium options. It truly accommodates two malware applications, Lumma Stealer and Atomic Stealer.
Lumma Stealer is an data stealer that’s been round since 2022 and primarily targets cryptocurrency wallets and two-factor authentication (2FA) browser extensions. Atomic Stealer was first found in April 2023 and is understood for its means to seize information similar to administrator and keychain passwords.
In addition to “TradingView Premium Cracked,” the scammers have supplied different fraudulent buying and selling applications to focus on crypto merchants on Reddit.
Segura stated one of many fascinating elements of the scheme is that the scammer additionally takes the time to help customers in downloading the malware-ridden software program and assist resolve any points with the obtain.
“What’s fascinating with this specific scheme is how concerned the unique poster is, going by way of the thread and being ‘useful’ to customers asking questions or reporting a difficulty,” Segura stated.
“Whereas the unique publish offers a heads-up that you’re putting in these information at your personal danger, additional down within the thread, we will learn feedback from the Authentic poster.”
On this case, the scammer sticks round to help customers in downloading the malware-ridden software program. Supply: Malwarebytes
The origin of the malware wasn’t clear, however Malwarebytes discovered that the web site internet hosting the information belonged to a Dubai cleansing firm, and the malware command and management server had been registered by somebody in Russia roughly one week in the past.
Segura says that cracked software program has been susceptible to containing malware for many years, however the “lure of a free lunch remains to be very interesting.”
Widespread purple flags to be careful for with these kind of scams are directions to disable safety software program so this system can run and information which might be password-protected, in line with Malwarebytes.
Associated: Microsoft warns of latest distant entry trojan focusing on crypto wallets
On this occasion, Segura says the “information are double zipped, with the ultimate zip being password protected. For comparability, a professional executable wouldn’t should be distributed in such trend.”
Blockchain analytics agency Chainalysis reported in its 2025 Crypto Crime Report that crypto crime has entered a professionalized period dominated by AI-driven scams, stablecoin laundering, and environment friendly cyber syndicates. Previously 12 months, the analytics agency estimates there was $51 billion in illicit transaction quantity.
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