GootKit Trojan Malware Removal

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

GootKit is a nasty Trojan horse. This virus is active since 2014 and is believed to be one of the most advanced active banking Trojans. If this pest lurks in the shadows of your system, you are in serious trouble. GootKit Trojan steals personal and financial information, as well as further infects the compromised system. It sneaks into your device in complete silence and corrupts everything. The virus alters settings, compromises essential directories, modifies the Registry, corrupts processes and services. This, of course, happens without any noticeable symptoms. You cannot catch the parasite in time to prevent its infiltration. The virus spreads its roots around your entire system without triggering any alarms. GootKit is an utter menace. This stealthy pest takes control of your OS and starts operations against you. The Trojan runs in the background and monitors your activities. It waits for you to make a mistake. This virus targets your personal and financial data. It follows programming to steal your usernames, passwords, financial details, and email addresses. It records everything you enter through your infected device. And that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. Your saved documents, databases, archives are also no longer private. GootKit can upload files. It is capable of sending your personal documents to unknown criminals. Do not waste time in debates. The more time this Trojan spends on your OS, the worse your predicament gets. Your best and only cause of action is the immediate removal of the Trojan. You have no choice, act now!

How did I get infected with?

Torrents, spam emails, corrupted software copies, fake updates, infected websites; there are myriads of ways for GootKit Trojan to reach your device. There is nothing innovative in its distribution. The virus relies on trickery and finesse to get on your system. The thing is that these methods are not flawless. They will all fail if you do your due diligence. Be always vigilant and doubting. Only your caution can keep your system secure and virus-free. Don’t visit questionable websites. Download software and updates from reputable sources only. Pay close attention to all installation processes. And, of course, be careful how you interact with your inbox. The good old spam emails are the number one cause of virus infections. The scheme, of course, is not what it used to be. The crooks no longer rely on malicious attachments. They still use them, but they also embed corrupted links. The scammers use deceptive language to lure you into clicking on their malicious links. That’s all they need – one click. Do not give into naivety. No anti-virus app can protect you if you act that recklessly. Treat all unexpected messages as potential threats. Always verify the senders. If you receive such a message, from an organization, for example, go to their official website. Compare the email addresses listed there to the questionable one. If they don’t match, delete the pretender intermediately. Do not let your guard down. Even a little extra attention can spare you may future headaches!

Why is this dangerous?

GootKit Trojan is a complete and utter menace. This virus sneaks into your system and wrecks it. It spread its roots around your entire OS and takes control of it. The Trojan starts malicious processes, opens your device to surveillance, and connects to a remote server. GootKit is an unpredictable parasite that is capable of manipulating your device. It starts, stops, and modifies essential processes; drops, deletes, and uploads files; downloads and installs apps. What’s worse, it also enables remote control of your device. The hackers use this Trojan to control your PC without bothering asking for your permission. Do you think that ends well for you? GootKit Trojan jeopardizes both your security and privacy. This parasite is capable of stealing sensitive information, corrupting data, turning your device into a part of a botnet. Do not underestimate the situation! The Trojan can cause irreversible damage. Do not play with your luck. You cannot win against this destructive cyber weapon. You can only limit your losses. Remove the nasty virus the first chance you get. The sooner, the better!

Manual GootKit Removal Instructions

The GootKit 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 GootKit 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 GootKit related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate GootKit startup location

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

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down GootKit 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 GootKit 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 GootKit 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 GootKit

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 GootKit, 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 GootKit 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.