Memory-scraping malware or RAM Scrapping malware is a
malware
Malware (a portmanteau of ''malicious software'')Tahir, R. (2018)A study on malware and malware detection techniques . ''International Journal of Education and Management Engineering'', ''8''(2), 20. is any software intentionally designed to caus ...
that scans the memory of digital devices, notably
point-of-sale (POS) systems, to collect sensitive personal information, such as credit card numbers and personal identification numbers (PIN) for the purpose of exploitation.
Operation
The magnetic stripe of payment cards hold three different data tracksTrack 1, Track 2 and Track 3.
The POS RAM scrapers were created to implement the use of expression matches to gain access and collect the Track 1 and Track 2 card data from the RAM process memory. Some RAM scrapers use the
Luhn algorithm
The Luhn algorithm or Luhn formula (creator: IBM scientist Hans Peter Luhn), also known as the " modulus 10" or "mod 10" algorithm, is a simple check digit formula used to validate a variety of identification numbers.
The algorithm is in the pub ...
to check the validity of card data before exfiltration.
See also
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Point-of-sale malware
Point-of-sale malware (POS malware) is usually a type of malicious software (malware) that is used by cybercriminals to target point of sale (POS) and payment terminals with the intent to obtain credit card and debit card information, a card's tr ...
References
Malware
Theft
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