Skywiper

An extremely sophisticated strain of malware more commonly referred to as Flame (or Flamer), although some security experts classify the two differently. Skywiper, or sKyWIper, is one of the largest and most complex malware strains to date, with a total size of more than 30MB when its 20+ modules and plug-ins have been installed.

Skywiper has the ability to record extensive system information on an infected machine, and also has keystroke monitoring and packet sniffing functionality as well as backdoor capabilities that enable cyber attackers to trigger, update or erase the malware on command. The Skywiper malware had been in circulation for at least two years prior to being detected, primarily targeting countries in the Middle East, and Skywiper is believed to have been created and conducted with “nation-state support” due to its high level of complexity and targeted area of focus.

Forrest Stroud
Forrest Stroud
Forrest is a writer for Webopedia. Experienced, entrepreneurial, and well-rounded, he has 15+ years covering technology, business software, website design, programming, and more.
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