How to Remove Orcus RAT Malware

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

Orcus RAT is a high-risk Trojan horse. It is a Remote Access Trojan which is capable of performing multiple malicious and illegal activities. Brace yourself! The news is bad. Orcus RAT alters settings, modifies the registry, drops files, and starts dangerous processes. It corrupts your entire operating system and opens it to malicious interference. This, of course, happens without any noticeable symptoms. You cannot catch the virus in time to prevent its infiltration. The Trojan infects your entire OS without triggering any alarms. That’s its nature. It’s designed to control your computer from the shadows. The virus is capable of anything. It can turn on your webcam with a disabled activity light. It can perform DDoS attacks. And what’s worse: it can steal sensitive information. Although this Trojan is a versatile virus, security experts report that Orcus RAT focuses on data-harvesting. The virus targets your usernames, passwords, financial details, and saved data. Do not test your luck! The more time the Trojan has, the worse your situation becomes. Take immediate action! Cut its stay as short as possible. Find where this intruder lurks and delete it upon detection! The sooner, the better!

How did I get infected with?

Orcus RAT is promoted as a legitimate remote access tool. You can download it off its official website. Yet, you didn’t do it, did you? The virus appeared out of the blue. Sadly, that’s not the case. The crooks have found a way to spread this virus through spam campaigns. They trick their victims into downloading malicious files. Their scheme is simple, yet very effective. The crooks write on behalf of well-known companies and organizations. They attach malicious files and describe them as important information (such as invoices, offers, job application forms, etc.). And the crooks don’t stop just here. In case you are reluctant to download the attachment, they also embed corrupted links. One click on their hyperlinks and the virus gets on your OS. Do not give into naivety! No anti-virus app can protect you if you act that recklessly. Only your diligence can keep your OS secure and virus-free. Be very careful with your inbox. Whether it’s an instant message or an email, treat all unexpected messages as potential threats. Always verify the senders. If, for example, you receive email from an organization, go to their official website. Compare the email addresses listed there to the questionable one. If they don’t match, delete the pretender. You can also enter the suspicious addresses into a search engine. If they were used for questionable activities, someone might have complained online! Even a little extra attention goes a long way!

Why is this dangerous?

As soon as Orcus RAT invades, corruption follows. The virus spreads its roots around your entire OS. It wastes no time and takes control of your computer. The virus follows programming to monitor your activities and to record your keystrokes. It is after sensitive information such as financial details, usernames, and passwords. It is also capable of spying on you physically. The virus can use your microphone and webcam to track your activities. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This Trojan can act as remote control of your PC. Orcus RAT allows its owners to control your system without bothering to seek your consent. Do you think that ends well? You are dealing with cybercriminals. These people won’t do you favors. They can use or destroy your saved data, steal personal information, wreck your device. Don’t expect them to show mercy! Take action. Your best and only course of action is the immediate removal of the Trojan. Delete Orcus RAT before it gets a chance to get you in serious trouble! Remove this virus ASAP!

Manual Orcus Removal Instructions

The Orcus 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 Orcus 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 Orcus related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Orcus startup location

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

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Orcus 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 Orcus 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 Orcus 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 Orcus

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 Orcus, 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 Orcus 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.