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Such a tight focus on ZeuS in the news and by leading security software manufacturers allows for other sophisticated malware to take a stronger hold in the marketplace, according to a Security Week report. For instance, the Bugat suite is listed by McAfee as a Very Low Risk Level 1 threat.

A recent LinkedIn attack was initially credited to ZeuS, fueling more focus away from the increasing popularity of Bugat. But in reality Bugat was what hackers used in this particular scheme.

Although it isn't as widespread, the Bugat trojan is just as capable of retrieving illicit credentials and providing profit for the botnet operators. The goal of Bugat is to retrieve financial login information, and have the botnet perform high value wire transfers with the stolen data.

Bugat operates by launching a .exe that monitors the URLs you visit and captures your login details. In addition, in some instances, Bugat will actually modify the look of the login page to gain additional personal information.

Bugat distributes the standard frustrating pieces of malware as well, allowing for unknown file transfers, launching of unintended programs, and rendering windows inoperable. Once it finishes mining data and collecting login credentials, the .exe sends the data back to the botnet to have the illicit transfers executed.

PC World has the details HERE!