What is Vidar malware?

Vidar is an information-stealing malware that primarily targets Windows systems. It is designed to collect sensitive information such as saved passwords, credit card details, cryptocurrency wallets, and browser history from infected systems. It first emerged in 2018 and has recently resurfaced with enhanced capabilities to evade detection and exfiltrate data more efficiently.

How does Vidar malware spread?

Vidar malware typically spreads through phishing emails, malicious attachments, compromised websites, and software cracks or key generators. It can also be distributed through other malware families as part of a larger attack chain. The recent variants have been observed using more sophisticated social engineering tactics to trick users into executing the malware.

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) is a cloud-based security framework that combines network security functions with WAN capabilities to deliver them as a unified cloud service. It includes capabilities such as SD-WAN, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), and Secure Web Gateway (SWG). This converged approach enables organizations to secure access to applications and data regardless of location.

How can SASE help protect against Vidar malware?

SASE can help protect against Vidar malware through multiple security layers: 1) Secure Web Gateway can block access to malicious websites hosting Vidar, 2) Cloud Access Security Broker can inspect traffic for malware signatures, 3) Firewall as a Service can prevent command and control communications, 4) Zero Trust Network Access can limit lateral movement if a device is infected, and 5) Advanced threat prevention can detect and block malware before it reaches the network. The unified approach provides comprehensive protection across all access points.

What are the signs of a Vidar malware infection?

Signs of a Vidar malware infection may include: 1) Slow computer performance, 2) Unusual network traffic, 3) Unexpected system crashes or freezes, 4) New unknown files or processes, 5) Disabled security software, 6) Unusual browser behavior, and 7) Missing or modified files. However, Vidar is designed to operate stealthily, so infections may not show obvious symptoms, making proactive security measures essential.

Why is unified SASE defense more effective against modern malware like Vidar?

Unified SASE defense is more effective against modern malware like Vidar because it provides a comprehensive, integrated security approach rather than siloed solutions. By converging networking and security capabilities in the cloud, SASE can: 1) Apply consistent security policies across all users and devices, 2) Provide real-time threat intelligence across all security layers, 3) Enable faster detection and response to emerging threats, 4) Reduce complexity and potential security gaps, and 5) Scale security resources as needed to handle evolving threats.

Vidar Malware Is Back: New Campaigns And How Aryaka Unified SASE Disrupts Info-Stealing Threats

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Vidar, a well-known info-stealing malware, is making the rounds again with a few new tricks. In a new report, Aryaka’s Threat Research Lab dives into what’s happening and what you can do to protect your team.

Over the past few weeks, our researchers tracked a fresh Vidar campaign aimed squarely at everyday Windows users—the folks who live in their browsers, jump between SaaS apps, and keep credentials saved for convenience. The goal is simple: steal what unlocks your digital life (passwords, cookies, autofill data, crypto wallets, auth tokens) and quietly ship it out. What’s different this time is how smoothly Vidar slips past basic defenses and blends into normal activity, making it harder to spot with point tools alone. Below is what’s going on, why it matters, and the immediate steps we recommend.

Executive Summary (at a glance)

Vidar arrives through common lures (phishing, shady downloads) and sets itself to run again after reboot.
It focuses on browser-stored data, such as passwords, cookies, and tokens that can grant account access without a password prompt.
It hides control instructions on public platforms, then quietly exfiltrates data over encrypted web traffic.
The targets aren’t niche; if your organization uses Chromium-based browsers and SaaS, you’re in scope.
Layered, identity-aware controls and smarter egress monitoring are the best counters.

Background

Vidar has been around for years and is sold “as a service,” which means many different actors can rent it and run their own campaigns. That’s why it pops up in waves—whenever a new crew turns the crank.

How the attack plays out

The foot in the door: A user clicks a convincing attachment or download.
Setting up shop: The malware tweaks settings to avoid basic checks and ensures it starts again later.
The grab: It hunts for the good stuff—browser passwords, cookies, tokens, wallet files, screenshots.
Phone home: It finds control servers using “dead-drops” (public pages that quietly hold pointers), then sends data out over normal-looking HTTPS traffic.

Why this Matters

Modern work runs through the browser. If an attacker grabs your cookies and tokens, they can often waltz into SaaS apps and cloud consoles without ever cracking a password. That means account takeover, lateral movement, and data exposure even if MFA is solid and endpoint AV is green.

Impact

Who’s most at risk

Teams that rely heavily on web apps and keep credentials saved in the browser
Contractors, sales, finance, and anyone who uses multiple SaaS tools daily
Organizations with uneven policy enforcement between remote users and branch locations

Business fallout (in real terms)

Account misuse & fraud: Unauthorized purchases, wire attempts, gift-card scams, or invoice tampering
Data exposure: Customer PII, financials, source files, internal roadmaps
Operational drag: Time spent rotating credentials, revoking sessions, and chasing suspicious logins

How Aryaka helps fight against Vidar Malware

Aryaka’s Unified SASE as a Service brings networking, security, and observability together so you can see—and stop—this kind of campaign across users and sites:

Zero-Trust access with posture checks: Only healthy, policy-compliant devices reach sensitive apps.
Secure Web Gateway + NGFW/IPS: Granular controls for risky downloads and suspicious encrypted uploads—without crushing user experience.
CASB/DLP for SaaS: Detect and block the silent movement of sensitive data and credential stores.
Unified visibility: One place to correlate user identity, device posture, and egress behavior, so “quiet” attacks aren’t invisible.

Expect more trust abuse and fewer loud exploits. Defenders who connect the dots between identity, device health, and web traffic will have the advantage.

Get the full analysis

For technical details, indicators, and detection logic you can put to work immediately:

Get the Report

Vidar Malware is Back: New Aryaka Threat Research Report

Executive Summary (at a glance)