How to Remove Ground.exe Trojan

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

You’ve noticed that your computer runs slower than before? Has the blue screen of death ever appeared on your monitor? We hate to tell you this, but it looks like you may be a victim of malicious software. If you notice Ground.exe as a running process in Task manager, it means that your computer is infected by a Trojan Horse virus. What it does is that it has the ability to slow down the speed and performance of the computer system which may completely damage or even break it in the long run. Users might notice that some of their programs have stopped working properly. As a typical Trojan Horse virus, its presence in a computer means that none of user’s private information is safe. The Ground.exe Trojan can also alter victim’s browser settings and generate annoying ad content that would constantly interrupt their browsing experience.

How did I get infected with?

In most cases, user unknowingly get their computers infected with the Ground.exe Trojan virus by opening spam emails and attachments or following through fake updates. Another common way of getting a virus infection is via clicking on pop-ups or ads that redirect to dangerous third-party websites. Viruses can also find their way in the victim’s PC when the user opens links and websites of suspicious origin. It is also recommended to pay attention when installing software on your computer. It is always best to opt for a Custom or Advanced install when using the Setup Wizard. That way users have full control over which programs are granted access to their computer. Always make sure that there are no checked boxes next to any additional software. More often than not, such programs or applications turn out to be viruses in disguise.

Why is this dangerous?

Trojan Horse viruses are very dangerous and should not be taken lightly. The slow performance of your computer is just a tiny problem compared to other dangers that the victim of this malicious software is exposed to. Ground.exe can open loopholes in the system and grant remote access to other hackers. This way all of your personal data like passwords, IP addresses, bank accounts, credit card numbers, as well as various file types lie photos, documents, executables, etc. can fall into the hands of cyber criminals. If you have fallen victim of the Ground.exe virus, we recommend acting quickly and proceed with its removal from your computer. This article can help you with this task. Just continue reading and follow our instructions.

Manual Ground.exe Removal Instructions

The Ground.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 Ground.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.

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

STEP 2: Locate Ground.exe startup location

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

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Ground.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 Ground.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 Ground.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 Ground.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 Ground.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 Ground.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.