How to Remove Ctfmon.exe Virus Completely

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

The Ctfmon.exe is a legitimate process. However, a Trojan horse is also using this name. If you have spotted this process in your Task Manager and you are not sure whether it is dangerous, use a trustworthy anti-virus program to scan your system. If the program detects an infection, you are in trouble. The ctfmon.exe Trojan is dangerous. It is the definition of a virus. This Trojan enters your PC unnoticed and wreaks havoc. It is so stealthy that it might have spent weeks on your machine without you realizing it. It runs in the background and is very hard to be noticed. The ctfmon.exe Trojan can add entries into your system registry. This means that a system restart won’t turn it off. It loads together with your OS. The virus can also delete entries from the registry. Thus, it may cause some programs, like your anti-virus app, to stop working. The furtive virus acts as a backdoor to your computer. What is interesting about Trojan horses is the fact that they can affect their victims in a different matter. It all depends on what the hackers need at the moment. They can use the virus to distribute ad-supported programs on your PC. Or, they can turn your device into a part of a botnet. There are numerous possibilities. Don’t wait to see what will happen with your computer. Find where this parasite is located and delete it on the spot! The sooner, the better!

How did I get infected with?

The ctfmon.exe Trojan did not materialize by magic. This virus uses methods you have heard about for sure. We are talking about the good old spam emails. Oh, yes. Spam email attachments are still the most commonly used virus distribution method. Before you even open an email from a stranger, check the sender’s contacts. Enter the questionable address into some search engine. If the email was used for shady business, someone might have complained. Yet, new emails are created every second. If you are part of the first wave of spam messages, there might not be evidence online. Therefore, don’t stop here. Double-check the sender. Scammers tend to write on behalf of well-known organization’s and companies. If you receive such a letter, go to the organization’s official website. You will be able to find their authorized email addresses there. Compare them with the one you have received a message from. If they don’t match, delete the spam email immediately. The Internet is bursting with parasites. They wait for you to make a mistake. Be always vigilant and keep your anti-virus software up to date.

Why is this dangerous?

The ctfmon.exe Trojan is an extremely dangerous virus. It is a backdoor to your system. Hackers can use it to transfer dangerous software on your device. They can enable remote control over your computer. Or, they can turn your device into a part of a botnet. In some countries being part of an illegal botnet is reason enough for a legal prosecution to take place. It doesn’t matter who turned your device into a part of such network, you will be the one to face the charges. The ctfmon.exe can do numerous questionable changes to your PC. None of which will be beneficial for you. It is a hole in your security and is exposing you and your privacy at risk. Hacker can use the Trojan to turn your computer into a spying device. If such an event occurs, everything you do on your computer will be recorded. If you have a camera and microphone connected to your PC, they can record even your offline activities. These people are criminals. They can use the collected information to blackmail you. All these issues aside, let’s not forget that the dreaded ransomware viruses are mainly distributed via Trojans. Can you imagine what will happen if a ransomware infects your PC? You will lose all your precious files. Don’t risk it! Take immediate measures. You can remove the virus manually. However, we recommend you to use an automated solution. The ctfmon.exe Trojan is tricky. It creates copies of itself into many hidden folders. If you miss even one component of the virus, it can restore itself. A good, trustworthy anti-virus program will scan your entire HDD for suspicious files. If the Trojan has managed to download malware, the anti-virus app will clean these parasites too. Take action now! Clean your device for good!

Manual Ctfmon.exe Removal Instructions

The Ctfmon.exe 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 Ctfmon.exe 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.

WARNING! Stopping the wrong file or deleting the wrong registry key may damage your system irreversibly.
If you are feeling not technical enough just use Spyhunter Professional Malware Removal Tool to deal with the problem!
>>Download SpyHunter – a Professional Remover.

Please, keep in mind that SpyHunter’s scanner tool is free. To remove the Ctfmon.exe infection, you need to purchase its full version.

STEP 1: Track down Ctfmon.exe related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Ctfmon.exe startup location

STEP 3: Delete Ctfmon.exe traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Ctfmon.exe 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 Ctfmon.exe 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 Ctfmon.exe 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 Ctfmon.exe

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 Ctfmon.exe, 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 Ctfmon.exe 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.