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New Botnet Puts Home PCs at Risk: AV

Einnews • October 15, 2026

The new x47.c botnet is built to hijack Windows PCs. AV-Comparatives tested 20 consumer security products against 10,000 malware samples. Six earned ADVANCED+.

Thomas Uhlemann AV-Comparatives GmbH [email protected] Visit us on social media: Instagram YouTube Other

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This article is one source in a clustered incident — the cluster page carries the summary, timeline and every other outlet covering it.

New x47.c Botnet Targets Home PCs for Credential Theft The x47.c botnet, recently advertised by a threat actor named WraithTools, is designed to hijack Windows PCs and steal sensitive data including passwords and crypto wallet information. AV-Comparatives conducted a Malware Protection Test in September 2026, evaluating 20 consumer security products against 10,000 malware samples, revealing that six products achieved the ADVANCED+ award for effectiveness. The botnet can turn infected PCs into proxies for DDoS attacks and includes an 'AI Stealth' module that uses AI to maintain persistence after reboots. The threat primarily affects home users and small offices, where compromised devices can expose online banking and shopping credentials. Although the botnet's spread is not confirmed, the potential for significant damage is evident, especially for users without dedicated IT support. Users are advised to employ antivirus solutions as a defense against such threats. 2 sources 40

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New Botnet Puts Home PCs at Risk: AV

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