Free Sources For Obtaining Malware Samples For Security Research

Oct. 12, 2025, 10:18 a.m.

Tags: trojan

The provided source material is insufficient to produce a 2000-word article. Below is a factual summary based on available data.

Malware samples are essential resources for cybersecurity professionals and researchers to understand evolving threats and develop effective defenses. Among these, trojans represent a significant category of malicious software that requires careful analysis. This article explores legitimate sources where researchers can obtain free trojan samples for security research purposes.

Understanding Trojans and Their Significance in Security Research

Trojans are deceptive malware that disguise themselves as legitimate software, tricking users into installing them. Once installed, they can perform various malicious actions such as stealing sensitive information, damaging files, or providing unauthorized access to systems. Unlike viruses or worms, trojans do not replicate themselves but rely on social engineering tactics to spread.

The source data identifies several notable trojan samples used by cybercriminals:

AgentTesla: A keylogger and information stealer used to capture sensitive data such as login credentials and financial information.
Akira: A malware strain primarily designed for stealing cryptocurrency wallets and credentials from infected devices.
Amadey: A modular trojan often used in phishing campaigns to steal personal and financial information.
BanLoad: A banking trojan designed to steal sensitive banking information from infected devices.
Berbew: A trojan primarily targeting banking and financial institutions, aiming to steal sensitive information related to online banking transactions.

Free Sources for Malware Samples

Several platforms offer free malware samples for cybersecurity research purposes. These resources provide valuable materials for security professionals to analyze threats and develop defensive measures.

VirusSign

VirusSign provides daily free malware samples and threat intelligence extracted from their computer malware datasets. They offer approximately 100 samples per day through regular feeds and another 100 through their AI-powered AMAS system, which has been confirmed as non-false positives. Users need to sign up for a community account to access these resources.

The platform also offers premium plans for researchers requiring enhanced comprehensive malware samples databases or specific datasets such as Android, macOS, iOS, Linux, or metadata-only samples. They also provide a collection of over 300TB and approximately 600 million past malware samples for specialized research needs.

Other Malware Sample Sources

Researchers can obtain malware samples from various specialized platforms including:

ANY.RUN: Registration required
Contagio Malware Dump: Curated, password required
CAPE Sandbox: Registration required
Das Malwerk
Hatching Triage: Registration required
Hybrid Analysis: Registration required
InQuest Labs: Registration required
InQuest Malware Samples on GitHub
KernelMode.info: Registration required
MalShare: Registration required
MalwareBazaar
MalwareSamples Malware-Feed: Curated
Malware DB
Objective-See Collection: Mac malware
PacketTotal: Malware inside downloadable PCAP files
PolySwarm: Registration required
SNDBOX: Registration required
SoReL-20M: 10M defanged malware samples
theZoo aka Malware DB
URLhaus: Links to live sites hosting malware
VirusBay: Registration required
VirusShare: Registration required
VirusSign: Registration required
Virus and Malware Samples: Includes APT, registration required
vx-underground
Yomi: Registration required

Precautions When Handling Malware Samples

Handling malware samples poses significant risks to computer systems and networks. Researchers must take proper precautions when accessing and experimenting with malicious software:

Only access samples if they have the necessary expertise
Take all necessary precautions in a controlled and isolated environment
Avoid downloading samples if uncertain about safety procedures
Never execute samples on systems connected to the internet or networks containing sensitive information
Use virtual machines or sandboxed environments for analysis

The source data explicitly warns that downloading and handling malware samples can pose serious risks to computer and network security. Researchers should only access and use them if they have the necessary expertise and take all necessary precautions in a controlled and isolated environment.

Types of Malware Samples Available

The source data identifies several categories of trojan samples available for research:

Banking Trojans

BanLoad: Designed to steal sensitive banking information
Berbew: Targets banking and financial institutions
Coper: Specializes in stealing financial data
ICEDid: Steals sensitive information from infected systems
QakBot: Known for persistence and stealthy behavior

Information Stealing Trojans

AgentTesla: A keylogger and information stealer
Blankgrabber: Focuses on capturing sensitive information
Matiex: Steals sensitive information from infected systems
Matsnu: Has polymorphic capabilities and multiple functionalities
Pony: Captures sensitive information used in credential stuffing attacks
Pysilon: Designed to steal sensitive information from infected systems

Other Notable Trojans

Amadey: Often used in phishing campaigns
Dirdex: Known for stealing information and spreading through network shares
Imminent: Used to deploy ransomware and steal data
QNodeService: Used for data theft and remote access
Rex: (No specific details provided)

Additional Malware Variants

The source data also mentions other malware types beyond trojans: - Magistr: A polymorphic computer virus that spreads through email attachments - Maldal: A malicious trojan horse program designed to infiltrate computer systems - MeltingScreen: Known for disrupting computer systems, particularly rendering screens unusable - 000: A malicious software program with disruptive effects - FakeAV/Rogue Antivirus: Deceives users into believing their systems are infected

Conclusion

Obtaining free malware samples is crucial for cybersecurity research and defense development. Several platforms offer legitimate access to these samples, with varying requirements and precautions. Researchers must prioritize safety when handling these materials, using them only in controlled environments with proper expertise. The variety of trojan samples available allows for comprehensive analysis of different threat vectors and attack techniques.

The information provided on these websites is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used to create, distribute, or execute any malicious software. The use of malware for illegal or unethical activities is strongly condemned.