Researchers found malware which steals social media cookies

New Delhi: Researchers at cybersecurity firm Kaspersky have discovered two new Android malware modifications that, when combined, can steal cookies collected by the browser and app of popular social networking sites and then allow the thieves to discreetly gain control of the victim’s account in order to send various ill-intentioned content.

Cookies are small pieces of data collected by websites to track users’ activity online in an effort to create personalized experiences in the future.

While they are often perceived as a harmless nuisance, they can, in the wrong hands, pose a security risk. That is because, when websites store these cookies, they use a unique session ID that identifies the user in the future without requiring a password or login.