BackSwap Trojan Exploits Standard Browser Features to Empty Bank Accounts

Creating effective and stealthy banking malware is becoming increasingly difficult, forcing malware authors to come up with innovative methods. The latest creative burst in this malware segment comes from a group that initially came up with malware stealing cryptocurrency by replacing wallet addresses in the clipboard.

BackSwap eschews the usual “process injection for monitoring browsing activity” trick. Instead, it handles everything by working with Windows GUI elements and simulating user input.

Book a demo today to see GlobalDots is action.

Optimize cloud costs, control spend, and automate for deeper insights and efficiency.

Book a demo today to see GlobalDots is action.

BackSwap monitors the visited URLs, looks for and detects bank-specific URLs and window titles by hooking key window message loop events.

Once banking activity is detected, the malware injects malicious JavaScript into the web page, either via the browser’s JavaScript console or directly into the address bar (via JavaScript protocol URLs, a little-used feature supported by most browsers). Also interesting is that the malware cleverly bypasses several countermeasures browser makers have implemented to prevent the exploitation of that last feature.

Finally, the injected JavaScript replaces the recipient’s bank account number with the number of an account opened by the attackers or their mules. If the user doesn’t notice the switch and authorizes the transaction, the attack is successful.

A close-up of hands typing on a laptop keyboard
Image Source

Read more: Help Net Security

Latest Articles

What is an API Security Audit?

 In January 2024, a misconfigured API exposed 650,000 private messages. These included passwords and internal communications. No exploit chain. No zero-day. Just a public-facing endpoint with no authentication. This wasn’t an isolated incident. From T-Mobile and Twitter (now X) to Kronos Research and the US Treasury, attackers have consistently used APIs as entry points. They […]

Ganesh The Awesome
26th June, 2025
The Ultimate API Security Checklist for 2025

APIs are now the top attack vector in enterprise apps. In 2024 alone, breaches tied to APIs cost an average of $4.88 million, and that number is rising fast. Attackers exploit gaps in API authentication, input validation, and outdated endpoints to compromise systems. Legacy controls no longer suffice, and the OWASP API Top 10 outlines […]

Ganesh The Awesome
26th June, 2025
10 API Security Best Practices for 2025

APIs are the backbone of today’s interconnected software. They power everything from mobile apps and SaaS platforms to internal microservices and partner integrations. But their rapid growth has left many security teams flat-footed. In 2025, many attackers prefer to exploit API misconfigurations hiding in plain sight. What used to be fringe cases (token leakage, zombie […]

Ganesh The Awesome
23rd June, 2025
API Security in 2025: Practical Assessment & Modern Protection Strategies

APIs are no longer an edge case. In 2025, they’re a core requirement for maintaining trust, compliance, and operational continuity. As organizations build more API-driven systems—from customer apps to internal microservices—the exposure risk compounds. And quickly, too. Even mature security teams are finding that traditional tools can’t keep pace with the volume, velocity, and nuance […]

Ganesh The Awesome
23rd June, 2025

Unlock Your Cloud Potential

Schedule a call with our experts. Discover new technology and get recommendations to improve your performance.

    GlobalDots' industry expertise proactively addressed structural inefficiencies that would have otherwise hindered our success. Their laser focus is why I would recommend them as a partner to other companies

    Marco Kaiser
    Marco Kaiser

    CTO

    Legal Services

    GlobalDots has helped us to scale up our innovative capabilities, and in significantly improving our service provided to our clients

    Antonio Ostuni
    Antonio Ostuni

    CIO

    IT Services

    It's common for 3rd parties to work with a limited number of vendors - GlobalDots and its multi-vendor approach is different. Thanks to GlobalDots vendors umbrella, the hybrid-cloud migration was exceedingly smooth

    Motti Shpirer
    Motti Shpirer

    VP of Infrastructure & Technology

    Advertising Services