I've got a bunch of questions regarding session hijacking and infostealers. First off, how quickly can these infostealers grab cookies and session IDs after they infect a computer? Once they have access to someone's cookies, do they change passwords and lock the user out right away, or do they take their time and monitor chats before making any changes? Also, if a website doesn't require reauthorization for email changes, what's typically the behavior there? How does that change if they do require reauthorization? I'm also curious about why some accounts get hacked just a day after malware infection. Does that imply that the hackers received the cookies too late, or were they keeping tabs on the profiles for a full day before acting? Lastly, do cookies get sold to multiple buyers who do their scouting, or are they mostly dumped, with the fastest buyer changing the account credentials?
2 Answers
Honestly, the answer to your concerns really boils down to 'it depends.' There's no one-size-fits-all answer because every malware operates differently and every site has its own security protocols. But yeah, things can escalate quickly if they’ve got access to your cookies!
If a malicious actor has taken control of your device, they can act really fast—sometimes instantly. After they get your cookies, they can't just change your password right away unless they somehow get additional access. It’s tricky to explain how all these pieces work together since every attack can be different. Always good to think about security measures like 2FA/MFA to protect yourself!
Just to add to that, if they have those cookies, they can actually log into some accounts easily. For example, on Instagram, if they use your cookies, they can go into your account settings, change the email, and then request a password reset to their new email. A quick chain reaction that can lock you out before you know it!
Thanks for clarifying! It's kind of scary how fast they can move, though. Seems like we need to stay alert!