If you manage sensitive data, you should be concerned about FormBook malware. Once inside your network or PCs, this information stealer (or "infostealer") malware can cause irreparable damage to your company.

What is FormBook malware, how does it infect computers, and how can you remove it?

What Is FormBook Malware?

FormBook is what's known as infostealer malware. After infecting your device, FormBook can steal various types of data, such as keystrokes, screenshots, login credentials cached in web browsers, and much more.

What's worse, FormBook can work as a downloader as well. This means it can download and execute additional malicious code on infected systems.

FormBook malware operates under a Malware as a Service (MaaS) model, enabling cyber criminals to buy it for a low price on the dark web.

How FormBook Malware Works

FormBook malware developers don't deploy the malware themselves. Its subscription is sold to hackers for a low price.

However, FormBook's subscription often doesn't include a distribution method. So threat actors need to buy a means of delivery to deploy FormBook.

As FormBook is separated from the delivery mechanism, it can use various delivery techniques to infect systems. Some common infection vectors for FormBook malware include but are not limited to phishing email campaigns, malicious URLs, and executable file attachments.

Once FormBook malware has infected machines, it releases its malicious executable code into various processes. Then, the code installs different function hooks to record keyloggers, steal clipboard data, take screenshots, and perform other desired tasks.

In addition to stealing information, FormBook can also receive commands from attackers. This enables hackers to install other malware on your computer through a remote command. For example, they can install ransomware and encrypt data on your computer.

FormBook is a powerful malware. It can target every popular browser, email clients, and file browser. So you should take the necessary steps to prevent this malicious program from infecting your systems and stealing sensitive information.

How to Prevent a FormBook Malware Attack

Cyber criminals use various delivery methods to deliver the FormBook payload. The following are some ways to minimize the risk posed by FormBook.

Implement Anti-Phishing Solutions

Phishing emails are the leading cause of malware infection, including FormBook. Implementing anti-phishing and anti-spam solutions that can identify and block emails containing malicious files can minimize the risk posed by FormBook.

Use Content Disarm and Reconstruction

By removing executable code from documents, a content disarm and reconstruction (CDR) system makes files safe to open.

So using a CDR system can help prevent FormBook malware infection significantly. What's more, a good CDR system removes all executable content from documents, making it possible to prevent zero-day threats.

Have a Powerful Anti-Malware Software

Having powerful anti-malware software installed on your endpoints can help scan all documents before users open them.

As a result, you can identify and block the FormBook threat before it infects your PCs.

Adopt Multi-Factor Authentication

Though adopting multi-factor authentication (MFA) doesn't directly help you prevent a FormBook malware attack, it can prevent hackers from using the stolen login credentials. This can help limit the damage.

When implementing multi-factor authentication, you should take the necessary steps to prevent MFA attacks.

Implement an Intrusion Detection and Prevention System

Intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS) constantly monitor your network traffic for suspicious activities. If IDPS finds any unusual activity, it will block it and alert you.

The following is how IDPS works:

• The system detects a malicious activity.
• It drops the malicious packet and blocks traffic from the source address.
• The system resets the connection and configures the firewall to prevent future attacks.

Implementing a reliable intrusion detection and prevention system can prevent a FormBook attack. So determine the level of security your company requires, and choose the best intrusion detection and prevention system.

Train Your Employees

As hackers often use social engineering techniques to install FormBook on victims' computers, training your employees goes a long way in preventing the FormBook infection. So you should ensure that your employees know how to spot spam emails, malicious attachments, and URLs.

Downloading freeware from suspicious sites can also install FormBook on a PC. So forbid your employees to download freeware, games, videos, or any other programs on work computers.

Your cybersecurity training program should be customized to meet the varied needs of your employees. And ensure your training program is interactive to increase employee engagement.

You should also encourage your employees to practice safe online behavior to strengthen overall security in your company.

How to Tell if You Have FormBook Infection

Here are some telltale signs of FormBook infection:

• Your system runs slower as FormBook installs other programs that consume CPU and memory resources.
• You see an increased internet activity on your PC even when you are doing nothing. This is because FormBook reaches out to the attacker after infecting the device to download additional malware or transfer stolen data.
• Your antivirus software is turned off, and you cannot turn it on.
• Multiple processes you don't remember downloading and installing are running on your PC.

Whenever you doubt, run a full scan on your PC with an updated anti-malware program to find whether it is infected or not.

How You Can Remove FormBook Malware

FormBook is a powerful malware program equipped with advanced evasion techniques.

After injecting itself into various legitimate processes, it obfuscates its initial payload. This makes it difficult to detect and remove FormBook malware.

Once you know your system has been infected, disconnect it from the network and deploy a powerful anti-malware solution to detect and remove the malware.

If your anti-malware program doesn't remove FormBook malware, you should seek professional help. Look for a cybersecurity company that has expertise in removing malware infection.

Stay Safe From FormBook Malware

Hackers are constantly trying to access sensitive data because your data holds great value. FormBook malware is just one way to steal information. So you should take the necessary steps to protect your endpoints from the FormBook threat or any other infostealer malware.

You should also know what to do once you find a malware program on your PC so that you can quickly remove it to limit the damage.