New Neptune RAT Variant Spreads via YouTube and Telegram, Targets Windows Users

by | Apr 8, 2025 | News

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New Malware Campaign Uses Social Platforms to Spread Advanced Remote Access Trojan

A new version of the Neptune Remote Access Trojan (RAT) is being circulated via YouTube, Telegram, and GitHub, enabling attackers to steal credentials, hijack clipboards, deploy ransomware, and even spy on users in real time.

According to a CYFIRMA report, this updated Neptune RAT is targeting Windows users through deceptive campaigns disguised as educational content and advanced remote administration tools.

What Is Neptune RAT?

Written in Visual Basic .NET, Neptune RAT is positioned as a legitimate educational tool but functions as a full-spectrum malware platform, allowing bad actors to:

Steal user credentials
Hijack cryptocurrency transactions
Encrypt files and demand ransom
Gain persistent, stealthy control over infected machines

How It Spreads

The malware is promoted on social platforms—YouTube tutorials, Telegram channels, and GitHub repositories—attracting both novice hackers and cybercriminals. Unlike open-source tools, Neptune RAT hides its payloads and uses obfuscation tricks, such as:

Replacing code strings with Arabic characters and emojis
Generating PowerShell downloaders that pull malicious components from file hosts like catbox.moe

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Notable Capabilities of Neptune RAT

🟩 Credential Theft & Clipboard Hijacking
Steals passwords from browsers and applications, and silently replaces copied crypto wallet addresses with the attacker’s wallet.

Screenshot from NaptuneRAT’s official website (Credit: Hackread.com)

🟩 Ransomware Deployment
Encrypts victim files, appending .ENC extensions and dropping an HTML ransom note. Can also corrupt the Master Boot Record (MBR), rendering the system unbootable.

🟩 Persistence & Evasion

Creates scheduled tasks and modifies the Windows Registry
Detects virtual machines to avoid analysis
Uses separate DLL modules to expand functionality, including:
- Live screen viewing
- Email and browser data extraction
- User account control bypassing

Screenshot from NaptuneRAT’s official website shows the full list of its capabilities (Credit: Hackread.com)

Expert Analysis: A Serious Threat Masquerading as “Educational Software”

Satish Swargam, Principal Security Consultant at Black Duck, warns that Neptune RAT is:

“…capable of launching ransomware, hijacking crypto wallets, and spying on users in real time. It bypasses typical security tools by blending into platforms like GitHub and YouTube.”

Swargam emphasizes the need for strong endpoint monitoring and active threat detection, especially as cybercriminals increasingly disguise malware as educational tools.

How to Protect Against Neptune RAT

✅ Avoid downloading software or scripts from unverified YouTube or Telegram sources

✅ Keep Windows and antivirus software updated

✅ Use behavioral monitoring tools to detect unusual script or registry activity

✅ Implement application whitelisting and disable unnecessary PowerShell execution

✅ Back up important data regularly and store it offline

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Source: hackread.com

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