What Are Stealers And Why Are They So Effective?

One of the fastest-growing cyber threats today is the rise of stealers. These are specialised types of malware designed to quietly extract valuable personal and corporate data.

They’re not the broad, noisy attacks of the past. They’re quiet, fast, and ruthlessly efficient.

Once activated, a stealer can harvest browser passwords, cookies, session tokens, autofill data, crypto private keys / seed phrases and even clipboard contents, all within minutes. This data is quickly exfiltrated and sold or traded across hidden parts of the internet. It often enables further attacks before the original breach is even noticed.

What makes stealers particularly dangerous is their accessibility. Many are sold as “Malware as a Service,” complete with support and licensing options. Others are open-source and customisable, freely available to cybercriminals with even basic skills. They’re delivered through phishing emails, malicious ads, cracked software or even seemingly harmless game cheats. Some even include regional self-delete settings to avoid prosecution from local authorities.

Why Visibility Into the Dark Web Matters

By the time stolen data appears on the dark web, the damage has already begun. Credentials, documents and identity information end up in private forums, Telegram channels or bundled into “logs” for mass resale. These are not hypothetical risks. They are active and evolving threats facing Australian organisations every day.

Dark web monitoring gives you visibility into this hidden world. It is not about prevention alone. It is about early detection when traditional defences have been bypassed. Monitoring alerts you when your data appears in monitored dark web marketplaces or leak channels. This helps you respond fast, before the breach turns into something worse.

You can’t fix what you can’t see. That’s why visibility across the deep and dark web matters.

How Secure ISS Helps You Stay Ahead

We’ve been protecting Australian organisations since 2006, and we’ve seen firsthand how damaging a single stealer incident can be. That’s why our Dark Web Monitoring services are built to go beyond alerts. We provide actionable intelligence, tailored context and the support you need to act quickly.

With Secure ISS, your organisation can:

• Get notified when your data is found on the monitored dark web.
• Learn what kind of data was exposed and gain insight into the potential impact.
• Take informed, timely action to reduce the impact

This proactive approach empowers your team to get ahead of attackers, not just react to them.

Aligned with Industry Best Practice

Our approach aligns with leading frameworks like NIST 2.0. It helps your organisation Identify, Detect, Protect and Respond to external threats. As outlined in our External Threat and Reputational Monitoring service, we monitor deep and dark web sources that most tools cannot access. That includes invite-only forums, authenticated leak sites and encrypted messaging channels where threat actors operate.

This kind of visibility helps your team:

• Detect compromised data early
• Understand emerging risks and reputational threats
• Respond faster with the right level of urgency

And when paired with our 24/7 Security Operations Centre, you are not alone when something is found. We are with you every step of the way.

What You Can Do Today

The most effective step you can take right now is to stop storing passwords in web browsers. Instead, use a trusted password manager with a strong master password. Install ad blockers on all company devices to reduce exposure to malicious advertising. Draw a clear line between work and personal use of corporate devices.

Beyond these good habits, proactive visibility is key.

That is why Secure ISS offers a free Dark Web Exposure Report to help you understand your personal risk profile.This report will show if your credentials, domains or sensitive information are already circulating on the dark web, and provide practical next steps to reduce your risk.

You can request your free Dark Web Exposure Report at secure-iss.com/dwm-report. It’s a great opportunity to learn with us, with your own private report in this area.

Meet Us at AISNSW ICT 2025

Secure ISS will be attending the AISNSW ICT Management and Leadership Conference 2025.

If you are joining the event, come and visit us at Booth 109 for an on-the-spot report and expert guidance. Or you can pre-book your personalised report now and receive it during the event.

We would be happy to walk you through your Dark Web Exposure Report privately, in person and answer any questions.

We believe in making cybersecurity practical and proactive. This is a great opportunity to understand your exposure, and see how dark web monitoring fits into your broader security strategy.