An Infostealer (Information Stealer) is a highly specialized type of malicious software (malware) whose primary goal is the silent theft of digital identity from an infected device. Unlike viruses that destroy systems, an Infostealer operates covertly, extracting logins, passwords, cryptocurrency wallets, and—crucially in modern cyberattacks—Session Cookies.
Within the digital marketing ecosystem (especially between 2024 and 2026), Infostealers have become the primary tool for hackers to hijack corporate Google Ads and Meta Business Manager accounts, often operating on a subscription basis (MaaS – Malware-as-a-Service).
Why does an Infostealer bypass Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?
The biggest threat of Infostealers is that they create a false sense of security for companies relying on SMS codes or Google Authenticator. This malware utilizes a Session Hijacking mechanism:
- Infection: A user clicks a malicious link (e.g., a fake Google alert, a spoofed Calendly invite, or downloads a fake file).
- Cookie Theft: The malware (e.g., Lumma, RedLine) steals the “cookie” file from the browser, which authorizes the user’s already active, logged-in session.
- Cloning: The hacker injects the stolen cookie into their own browser. Google’s system recognizes this as a “trusted” connection and grants account access without requiring a password or 2FA code.
Impact on the Marketing Department (Single Point of Failure)
For a Marketing Manager or an agency, the infection of a single employee’s computer represents a massive financial risk. Infostealers are the most common cause of Google Ads MCC (Manager Account) takeovers.
Gaining access to an MCC allows hackers to:
- Demote legitimate administrators.
- Drastically increase spending limits on client accounts.
- Launch automated scam campaigns that can burn through hundreds of thousands of dollars from linked credit cards within hours.
🚨 Is your ad budget draining rapidly? Have you been hacked? If you see unknown campaigns or new users in your MCC account, immediately disconnect infected devices and block payment cards.
Loading...
