CrossRAT Malware Removal

This article can help you to remove CrossRAT Virus. The step by step removal works for every version of Microsoft Windows.

Trojans, in general, are atrocious. RAT Trojans are even worse. CrossRAT is one such Trojan. If it ends up on your system, you’re in quite the trouble. The infection opens your system to outside threats. RAT is short for Remote Access Trojan. And, that’s the type of Trojan provides a backdoor, leading straight to your system, to hackers. Your PC becomes exposed, and vulnerable. As you may imagine, having a backdoor to your computer, is not good. It gives intruders the ability to snoop through your system, and launch a variety of attacks. And, you’ve guessed it! These attacks only further your grievances. No one is safe from the CrossRAT menace. Its portfolio has victims in over twenty-one countries. That’s including North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The list is extensive. CrossRAT falls under the “newly discovered desktop surveillanceware tool” category. So, neither Windows, Linux, nor OSX, are safe from its reach. The infection manipulates the file system, and takes screenshots. Understand the severity of your predicament. CrossRAT has lead to hundreds of gigabytes of data getting stolen. Documents, text messages, photos, videos, audio recordings, call records, account data, and more. CrossRAT is quite dangerous. Don’t underestimate it. Delete it! And, do it FAST!

How did I get infected with?

CrossRAT doesn’t appear out of thin air. Sure, it may seem that way. But it’s not the case. In actuality, the tool seeks your permission on its admission. It cannot enter your system without you giving it the green light. But, here’s the kicker. There are plenty of ways you can give consent. All, while not even realizing it. For example, if you click on a certain link, it’s as if you allow the program in. Or, you can download a certain tool off the web, and get the infection as a “bonus.” And, all because you didn’t do your due diligence. And, weren’t cautious enough to spot the threat, coming your way. There are also phishing emails, corrupted social media links, et cetera. The Trojan has an array of methods, it can use to invade. But none can succeed if you are careful! So, be thorough! Always take the time to do your research. Read the terms and conditions. Know what you say YES to. Do your due diligence. Vigilance helps to keep infections away. Carelessness leads to the opposite. So, choose wisely. Apply extra attention every time you install tools, updates, or anything off the web. Be careful of what you click. Even a little extra caution goes a long way. Remember that.

Why is this dangerous?

The worst issue, you face when stuck with a Trojan, is the privacy threat. The CrossRAT tool jeopardizes your private life. It threatens to steal your personal and financial information. Only to, then, expose it to cyber criminals. The unknown individuals, who published it, to be precise. In other words, strangers with malicious agendas. So, the question is, are you going to allow the infection to succeed? Or, would you rather, keep your privacy private? Understand that, once the Trojan invades, its espionage begins. It starts to spy on your browsing from day one. The infection keeps a close eye on every move you make online, and records it. Then, after it deems it has gathered enough data, proceeds to send what it stole. Don’t let that scenario unfold! Keep your personal and financial details out of the hands of cyber criminals! Do what’s best for you, and your system’s well-being, and delete the nasty threat ASAP! As soon as the opportunity presents itself, take actions against it. Find where it lurks, and delete it. The sooner, the better.

Manual CrossRAT Removal Instructions

The CrossRAT infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the CrossRAT infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Track down CrossRAT related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate CrossRAT startup location

STEP 3: Delete CrossRAT traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down CrossRAT related processes in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate CrossRAT startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean CrossRAT virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

Step 4: Undo the possible damage done by CrossRAT

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for CrossRAT, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

 

• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove CrossRAT Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your whole system or network and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible virus leftovers or temporary files.