How to avoid installation of malware through the Coronavirus spam campaign

What is "Coronavirus Email Virus"?

There are a number of variants of the Coronavirus spam campaign. Cyber criminals use it to deceive recipients into infecting their computers with malicious programs such as Agent Tesla, Emotet, LokiBot, Remcos, TrickBot, FormBook, Ave Maria, LimeRAT, CrimsonRAT, and other high-risk malware.

They send emails that contain 1) a website link that downloads a malicious file/display dubious content (e.g., phishing sites), or 2) a malicious attachment. In any case, if opened and executed, these files/attachments install a malicious program. We strongly recommend that you ignore this email, which has nothing to do with the coronavirus.

This spam campaign variant is disguised as a message from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding protective measures against the new coronavirus. It suggests that the attached file or included website link contains information about how to prevent coronavirus from spreading and avoid being infected.

In fact, the attached files that are downloaded via the included link install another malicious program. This coronavirus spam campaign is used to spread different malicious programs. It is likely that the cyber criminals responsible attempt to infect computers with a Trojan or ransomware.

They might also use a coronavirus campaign to spread other types of malware. Typically, they proliferate Trojans that steal sensitive information such as logins, passwords, credit card details (or other banking information), etc., or open 'backdoors' for other malicious software to infiltrate.

Ransomware encrypts files so that victims cannot recover them without specific tools that can only be purchased from the developers. In this way, victims of ransomware often lose data and money. Research shows that the executable within the "CoronaVirus_Safety_Measures.rar" file, which is attached to one of the emails of this spam campaign, spreads Agent Tesla.

This is a remote access tool, which, if installed, allows criminals to take control over the infected computer. One of its main features is keylogging - it can be used to record system keystrokes (record pressed keys). This feature can be employed to steal accounts, credentials and various other personal information.

Regardless of what malicious software cyber criminals behind this spam campaign attempt to distribute, attachments and website links must never be opened. By opening them, recipients risk experiencing monetary/data loss, problems relating to privacy, browsing safety, having their identities stolen, and other serious issues.

Other examples of spam campaigns used by cyber criminals to trick recipients into installing malicious software include "Greta Thunberg Email Virus", "Christmas Party Email" and "UPS Email Virus". In most cases, these campaigns are disguised as important, official messages from legitimate companies.

Recipients who open attachments or files downloaded through website links included in such emails often infect their systems with high-risk malware, which cyber criminals spread to generate revenue in various ways.

How did "Coronavirus Email Virus" infect my computer?

Research shows that cyber criminals spread malware through this spam campaign by including a website link or attaching a malicious file to their emails.

Most commonly used file formats to spread malware through emails (attachments and/or website links within them) are malicious Microsoft Office, PDF document, executable file such as .exe, archive file (ZIP, RAR) or JavaScript files. Typically, these files infect systems when recipients execute (open) them.

For example, if an attachment (or a file downloaded through a link) is an MS Office document and it is opened with a Microsoft Office 2010 or later, it will ask permission to enable macros commands (editing). By granting this permission, the malicious document is allowed to install a malicious program.

Older MS Office versions (developed before 2010) do not include 'Protected View mode' and, therefore, install malware without asking permission.

How to avoid installation of malware

No software should be downloaded or installed through third party downloaders/installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), or other such tools/sources. Use official websites and direct links. Installed software should not be updated via unofficial, third party tools.

The only safe way to achieve is to use implemented functions/tools that are provided by official developers. The same applies to activation of licensed (paid) software. Furthermore, it is illegal to use unofficial activation ('cracking') tools and they often cause installation of malware.

Attachments that are included in irrelevant emails that are received from unknown, suspicious addresses should not be opened. Cyber criminals tend to disguise their emails as official, important, legitimate, etc. Attachments and/or website links in emails should be opened only only when it is safe to do so.

Regularly scan the operating system with a reputable anti-spyware or antivirus suite and remove detected threats immediately. If you have already opened "Coronavirus Email Virus" attachment, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in one variant of the "Coronavirus Email Virus" email message:

Subject: Coronavirus (2019 -nCov) Safety Measures
Dear Sir/Madam,

Go through the attached document on safety measures regarding the spreading of corona virus.

This little measure can save you.

WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus and to provide advice on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.

Symptoms to look out for; Common symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.

Regards

Dr Liang -

Intensive Care Physician

WHO Plague Prevention & Control

Screenshot of another variant of the "Coronavirus Email Virus" email message:

Text in this email:

Subject: Re:SAFTY CORONA VIRUS AWARENESS WHO

Dear Sir,

Go through the attached document on safety measures regarding the spreading of corona virus.

Click on the button below to download

Symptoms common symptoms include fever, coughcshortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Regards.

Dr. Stella

Specialist wuhan-virus-advisory

Screenshot a malicious file which is distributed through the "Coronavirus Email Virus" spam campaign and is detected as threat by a number of virus detection engines on VirusTotal:

Another malicious attachment (a VBS file) distributed via coronavirus-related email spam campaigns. This attachment is designed to inject systems with Remcos RAT:

Criminals have recently released another variant coronavirus-related spam campaign which promotes Remcos RAT, Ave Maria Trojan and LimeRAT:

Text presented within this email:

Dear Industry Partners,

Due to recent announcement by Chinese's Government on spread of Corona Virus, customers traveling to/from WUH / SHA / BJS / CAN can opt to change their flights as The outbreak of coronavirus update china today continue see the attachment and the countries that has been affected below:

Booking and Ticketing Guidelines:

Below options are available for tickets issued on/ before 24th February 2020 and travelling till 29th March 2020

Re booking:
General Waiver Policy must be used for tickets issued on/ before 24th February 20 travel is to/from to/from WUH / SHA / BJS / CAN.
Travel to/from WUH must be via EK online points (SHA / BJS / CAN)
Customers can opt to change their flights within 7 days than originally booked

Reroute:
Reroute is permitted as per General Waiver Policy
Offer reroute within 7 days than originally booked as per General Waiver guidelines.
EK will not provide onward transportation or booking beyond the preferred destination.

Refund:

1. Travelling to/ from WUH: Refund option is only applicable for customers travelling 1 month from date of incident (23 January 2020 - 23 February 2020) as per General Waiver guidelines. Outside this period refund charges will be applicable as per fare terms and conditions.
2. Travelling to / from SHA / BJS / CAN : Refund option is available for customers travelling from 24 February to March 29th 2020. Outside this period refund charges will be applicable as per fare terms and conditions.

a. Refund request must be made using the refund form online *******. Inform our customers to update comments "Refund request due to Corona virus" when initiating request. This will fall in central refunds queue for manual action and will avoid refund charges being applied to tickets.

Please contact our call center on ******* OR visit ******* for more details

Yet another variant of coronavirus-related spam campaign which is used to spread FormBook virus:

Text presented within this email:

Subject: CORONA-VIRUS AFFECTED COMPANY STAFF

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN Find the attached file of victims and predicting victims of corona Virus as at 22/02/20. This list contains pictures,countries,names and companies affected. Dr Li Wei 26 Shengli St, Jiang'an District, Wuhan, Hubei, China +862782814009 Hubei hxxp://www.zxhospital.com/

Screenshot of the malicious attachment's ("LIST.ARJ") detections in VirusTotal:

Yet another coronavirus-related spam email (in Italian) which distributes TrickBot trojan:

Text presented within this email:

Subject: Coronavirus: Informazioni importanti su precauzioni

Gentile Signore/Signora,

A causa del fatto che nella Sua zona sono documentati casi di infezione dal coronavirus, l'Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità ha preparato un documento che comprende tutte le precauzioni necessarie contro l'infezione dal coronavirus. Le consigliamo vivamente di leggere il documento allegato a questo messaggio!

Distinti saluti,
Dr. Penelope Marchetti (Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità - Italia)

Yet another variant of a spam email relating to the coronavirus. The email delivers a malicious MS Excel document ("COVID-19 Recomendaton_Precations_Desinfection.xlam") which injects Skidware RAT into the system:

Text presented within this email:

Dear Lord/Lady,

Due to the fact that cases of coronavirus infection are documented in your area, The World Health Organiation has prepared a document that includes all necessary precations against coronavirus infection.

We strongly recommend that you read document attached to this message!

Sincerely.

Dr. Penelope Marchetti,
World Health Organization (W H O).

Pop-up window asking to enable macro commands once the malicious attachment is opened:

Yet another malicious Microsoft Excel document ("36978_1582552996_NHQEncl1.xls1") distributed using coronavirus-related spam email campaigns. This malicious document injects CrimsonRAT into the system using macro commands:

Text presented within the document:

HEALTH ADVISORY: CORONA VIRUS
1. Traineers & workes  from foreign countries attend courses at various indian Establishment and trg Inst.
2. The outbreak of CORONA VIRUS is cause of concern especially where forign personal have recently arrived or will be arriving at various Intt in near future.
3. In order to prevent spread of CORONA VIRUS at Training establishments, preventive measure needs to be taken & advisories is reqt to be circulated to all Instt & Establishments.
4. In view of above,you are requested to issue necessery directions to all concerned Medical Establishments. Treat matter most Urgent.

Update 20 March 2020 - Cyber criminals have recently started a new spam email campaign to distribute RedLineStealer. They send thousands of deceptive emails asking for help to perform medical research relating to the coronavirus.

They ask users to install specific software that will supposedly use the recipient's computer to perform various calculations and, thus, help the researchers. The app they encourage users to install is called Folding@home.

Bear in mind that this application actually exists and it is legitimate, however, this spam campaign is simply a disguise: rather than installing the aforementioned Folding@home application, criminals inject RedLineStealer into the system. You can find more detail in Lawrence Abram's article posted in Bleeping Computer.

Appearance of a spam email used to distribute RedLineStealer by disguising it as the Folding@home application:

Text presented within this email:

Subject: Please help us Fighting corona-virus

Greetings from Mobility Research Inc  and Folding@Thome As we all know, recently corona-virus is becoming a major threat to the human society. We are a leading institution working on the cure to solve this world-wide crisis. However, we need your help. With your contribution, you can speed up our process of finding the cure. The process is very simple, you will need to install an app on your computer, which will allow us to use it to run simulations of the cure. The process is very simple, you will need to install an app on your computer, which allow us to use it to run simulations of the cure. This is totally controllable by you and you can be switched on/off when you are comfortable to. This will greatly help us and perhaps stop the corona-virus before it is too late.
Thank you, your Mobility Research Inc  and Folding@Thome

If you would like to read more about our organisation, click here:

Folding@Thome

Example of a phishing email relating to the coronavirus:

Text presented within this email:

Subject: **** I NEED YOUR URGENT RESPONSE

Este é um e-mail de pedido de informações via *** de:
Gunter Gram ;

Dear friend,
My names is Mr. Gunter Luz Gram, I’m a lawyer base in Vienna Austria i hope you and your family are safe from this Covid-19. Well, i have previously sent you an email regarding a transaction of US$9.2 Million left behind by my late client before his tragic death.
However, I am contacting you once again because after going through your profile, I strongly believe that you will be in a better position to execute this business transaction with me.
Please if you are interested to proceed with me, kindly respond to my email urgently for more detail.
Please Stay Safe and I look forward to your response.
Regards,
Mr. Gunter L Gram
Email: gunter@glplawfirms.com
Telephone: +43 670 309 9097

Example of yet another Coronavirus-themed spam email used to spread TrickBot malware (the malicious attachment is a MS Excel document):

Text presented within:

Subject: coronavirus (covid-19) paycheck application form

Good day,

Our own files point out that you might be eligible for coronavirus CoVid-19 standard settlements. Coronavirus Covid-19 Standard Pandemic Paycheck is the modified community welfare paycheck for individuals who in any way have been inflicted by the CoVid-19 public health crisis.

Please find the File included in the attachment with this notification.

We want the general info relating to your own situation. Any and all info will likely be employed in an effort to determine your qualification. Completing this form isn't a promise or determination for a grant, but enables you to sign up for federal government or state assistance.

Most sincerely, Genesis Phillips
United States Volunteer Group
# 57523-0108

Screenshot of the malicious attachment:

Appearance of a spam email used to spread a coronavirus-themed PDF document which is used for phishing purposes:

Text presented within:

Find attached document for more details

Appearance of the PDF document (GIF):

Text presented within:

ATTN: Beneficiary,
You have been selected in the Microsoft/COVID 19 compensation Award prize of
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS (US$500,000.00) only. The participants
were emerged through random selection of all active email subscribers online at the
head office in United State America.
Our mode of payment are bank to bank transfer and winners shall be paid in
accordance with his/her settlement center.Microsoft/COVID 19 compensation must
be claimed no later than 29 days from date of notification,any prize not claimed
within this period will be forfeited. Stated below are your identification numbers.
Batch Number: YPB/08/APA-878547 Reference Number: COVID 19/560992020
Award File No: US/QU863224.
Your award winning file No: US/QU863224 falls within the Johannesburg location
file; you are requested to contact our fiduciary agent in Johannesburg South Africa
and send your identification numbers to him.
CONTACT AGENT
NAME: Dr. Jane Robert.
E-mail: dr.janerobert@websurfer.co.za
Contact No: +27 787 707 253
You are advised to send the following information to your claim agent to facilitate the
release of your fund to you.
1. Full Name:
2. Contact address:
3. Country:
4. Telephone number
5. Marital Status:
6. Occupation
7. Gender:
8. Date of birth:
To file your claim, please contact your validating officer for validation of your prize
within twenty-nine working days of this notification, Prize that are not validated
within twenty-nine working days of notification are termed void and invalid. You are
required to mention the above particulars of your prize in every correspondence to
enable our agent in Johannesburg South Africa validate you prize.
Congratulations once again
Mrs. Evely Paulson.
Processing Manager
Microsoft Award/Covid 19 Compensation Fund.
NOTE: YOUR DETAILS ARE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. SHOULD WE
OBSERVE DUAL CLAIMS WITH YOUR DETAILS, IT COULD LEAD TO
CANCELLATION OF YOUR FILE WITHOUT NOTIFICATION

Example of yet another coronavirus-themed spam email which is used to distribute a malicious MS Excel document designed to inject TrickBot trojan into the system:

Text presented within:

Subject: My Coronavirus COVID-19 exposure list

Hey,

Our family a short while ago experienced a contact with a Coronavirus COVID-19 positive individuals.
You can see List that contains Names list in the attachment.

Sincerely Yours, Isabelle

Screenshot of the attached MS Excel document:

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Types of malicious emails:

If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file from a suspicious email, run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. If you only received the email and didn't engage with it, you don't need to scan anything - just identify the scam and delete it. The full procedure below covers both situations and what to do if you already clicked, replied, or sent money.

Credential theft Phishing emails

Fake login pages disguised as PayPal, Microsoft, Apple, banks, or social networks. The email pushes a link to a near-perfect copy of the real login screen. The moment you type your username and password, the attacker has them.

Common subject lines

• "Action required: confirm your account"
• "Your password expires today"
• "Unusual sign-in attempt detected"
• "Verify your billing information"

Malware delivery Emails with malicious attachments

Trojans hidden inside fake invoices, faxes, shipping confirmations, or Office documents. Opening the attachment runs the payload and infects the system - often with an info-stealer or remote-access trojan.

Common subject lines

• "Invoice INV-2026-XXXX attached"
• "Fax received - 3 pages"
• "Your shipping document is ready"
• "Voicemail from +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX"

Extortion Sextortion emails

Fake claims of webcam recordings demanding cryptocurrency. Almost always a bluff: the attacker pulls a real password from an old data breach to make the threat look credible, then claims to have video of you. They have no recording and no access.

Common subject lines

• "I know your password is XXXX"
• "Your account has been hacked"
• "I have recorded you - 48 hours to pay"
• "You have been compromised"

Callback fraud Refund & callback scams

"Your subscription was renewed for $499 - call to cancel." Norton, McAfee, Geek Squad, PayPal, and Wells Fargo variants are all common. There's no real subscription. The phone number in the email connects directly to the scammer, who walks you through "refunding" yourself - which is actually them stealing money from your bank.

Common subject lines

• "Norton subscription auto-renewed - $499.99"
• "McAfee Total Protection invoice"
• "Geek Squad order confirmation"
• "Your PayPal payment is being processed"

Credential theft Account suspension & verification scams

"Your account will be deleted in 24 hours - verify now." The artificial deadline is the whole point: it pressures you to click before checking details. The "verify" link goes to a phishing page styled to look like the real provider.

Common subject lines

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Suspicious activity detected - verify now"
• "Final warning: account closure"
• "Action required to keep your account active"

Mixed payload Delivery & package scams

Fake DHL, USPS, UPS, or FedEx tracking, customs fees, or "package undeliverable" notices. Targets anyone expecting a parcel - the timing alone catches many people. The link hides either phishing (asking for card details to "release" the package) or a malware download.

Common subject lines

• "Your DHL package is held at customs"
• "USPS - delivery attempt failed"
• "FedEx tracking update - action required"
• "Pay $2.99 redelivery fee to release your parcel"

Remote access Tech support scams

Fake Microsoft, Apple, or "Windows Defender" security alerts pushing a phone number. Real Microsoft and Apple never email a phone number to call. The number connects you to a scammer who asks for remote access to "fix" the imaginary problem and then demands payment.

Common subject lines

• "Microsoft Defender expired - renew now"
• "Apple ID security alert"
• "Critical: virus detected on your PC"
• "Windows license expired - call now"

Wire fraud Advance-fee scams

Inheritance, lottery wins, romance, or business deals that ask for a small fee to release a much larger sum. The classic "Nigerian prince" 419 family of frauds. Once you pay the first fee, more fees appear (taxes, lawyer, transfer charges) until you stop paying. The promised money never exists.

Common subject lines

• "Inheritance from a relative you didn't know about"
• "You won the international lottery"
• "URGENT - business proposal worth $XX million"
• "Compensation fund release for fraud victims"

Wire fraud Business email compromise (BEC)

CEO impersonation asking employees to wire money or buy gift cards, or fake supplier invoices with newly "updated" bank details for payment redirection. The email often spoofs a real internal executive's display name and uses an external lookalike domain.

Common subject lines

• "Quick task - need you to buy gift cards"
• "Updated banking details for invoice payment"
• "Wire transfer request - urgent"
• "Are you available?" (CEO impersonation opener)

How to spot a malicious email?

Phase 1~ 2 min

Spot - identify the red flags

---

1

Check the sender's actual address, not the display name

30 sec

The display name (the human-readable part) is trivial to fake. Always check the full address that comes after it. Common red flags:

• Domain mismatch - service@paypa1.com, support@micros0ft-help.com, look-alike domains using digits or extra hyphens
• Free-email impersonation - any "official" message from a bank, courier, or platform sent from a @gmail.com, @outlook.com, or @yahoo.com address
• Reply-To mismatch - the From address looks legitimate but Reply-To points somewhere completely different

Why this matters

Real companies own their domains and send mail from them. A "DHL" message from a Gmail address is never legitimate, regardless of how convincing the body looks.

2

Watch for urgency, threats, and generic greetings

30 sec

Scams almost always rush you. The point is to make you act before you think. Treat any of the following as a strong signal:

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Final notice" / "Immediate action required"
• "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" instead of your real name
• Threats of fines, account closure, legal action, or arrest
• Promises of refunds, prizes, or money you didn't earn
• Spelling and grammar mistakes in messages claiming to come from a major brand

3

Hover over every link before clicking

30 sec

On a desktop, hover the mouse over the link without clicking. The real destination shows in the bottom-left status bar of your browser or email client. On a phone, long-press the link to preview the URL.

• Real Microsoft, PayPal, or bank links go to those exact domains, not redirects through unrelated sites
• Shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, t.co) hide the real destination - never click them in unsolicited mail
• The visible link text and the actual URL must match - mismatches are the single biggest phishing red flag

Pro tip

When in doubt, don't click the link. Open a new browser tab and type the company's address yourself, then log in normally. If there really is an issue with your account, you'll see it there.

4

Treat unexpected attachments as hostile

30 sec

If you didn't ask for the file, don't open it - even if it appears to come from someone you know. Categories that should never be opened from email without verification through another channel:

• .exe, .scr, .iso, .img, .vbs, .bat - executables, never legitimate attachments
• .docx, .xlsx, .pptx with "Enable macros" prompts - the macros run the malware
• .pdf with "Click here to view" buttons - usually a phishing redirect, not a real document
• .zip, .rar, .7z archives, especially password-protected ones - the password defeats the email scanner

Phase 2~ 2 min

Report and delete - if you haven't engaged

---

If you only received the email and didn't reply, click, or open anything, the steps below are all you need. Your computer is not infected.

5

Don't reply, don't click "unsubscribe"

30 sec

Replying confirms your address is real and monitored, which gets you added to higher-value scam lists. The "unsubscribe" link in a scam message is rarely a real opt-out - it usually leads to a phishing page or downloads a tracking pixel.

Instead, mark the message as junk or phishing inside your email client (this trains the spam filter), then block the sender.

6

Report the scam to your email provider and authorities

1 min

Inside your email client:

• Gmail: open the message → ⋮ menu → Report phishing
• Outlook / Outlook.com: ⋯ menu → Report → Report phishing
• Apple Mail / iCloud: Move to Junk, then forward to reportphishing@apple.com

Forward or report to authorities:

• International: forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
• United States: ic3.gov (FBI)
• United Kingdom: forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (NCSC SERS); for financial loss report at reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
• Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
• Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
• EU: your national CERT - find yours via the ENISA CSIRT map

After reporting, delete the email and empty the Trash folder so you don't accidentally open it later.

Phase 3~ 10–60 min

Recover - if you already engaged with the scam

---

Pick the step below that matches what you did. If multiple apply, work through them in the order they appear - the steps are arranged from lowest to highest risk.

7

You only clicked a link (didn't enter anything or download anything)

Scenario: clicked link only10 min

Close the page right away. Don't enter any information, even if the page looks legitimate.

• Clear your browser cache and cookies for the last hour - Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Del → Last hour → check Cookies and Cached files
• Run a quick scan with Combo Cleaner in case the page tried to drop a file silently (drive-by download)
• Update your browser to the latest version - most drive-by exploits target outdated browsers
• Watch for new browser pop-ups, redirects, or unfamiliar notifications over the next few days

Why this matters

Modern browsers block most drive-by attacks, but a single click on a phishing page can still be enough on an outdated browser or unpatched plugin. A quick scan catches anything that landed silently.

8

You opened an attachment or downloaded a file - run a full malware scan

Scenario: opened attachment⚠ Highest risk60–90 min

Opening an attachment is the most common path to actual infection. Treat the system as compromised until the scans below come back clean. Work through these sub-steps in order:

8.1Disconnect from the network

Unplug Ethernet and turn off Wi-Fi. If the attachment was an info-stealer or remote-access trojan, this stops it from sending data out or receiving commands. Keep the network off until you've booted into Safe Mode (next step) - you'll reconnect there briefly to download the scanners.

8.2Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, then download the scanners

Windows 11: Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: hold Shift, click Power → Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in 8.4) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in 8.5). Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers, so most malware can't auto-run while you're getting the tools. Save both installers to your Desktop.

8.3Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads - this is what catches rootkits and bootkits.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8.4Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Install Combo Cleaner and run a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete fully, review what it found, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner will quarantine known trojans and remove their persistence in the registry.

8.5Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe). The binary expires every 10 days, which means every download has the latest signatures. Run a full scan after Combo Cleaner to catch anything one engine alone might miss.

8.6Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

Many email-borne trojans drop adware that hijacks browsers. Reset each browser you use:

Chrome: chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to their original defaults. Then chrome://settings/content/notifications - remove unfamiliar sites.

Edge: edge://settings/reset. Then edge://settings/content/notifications.

Firefox: about:support → Refresh Firefox.

8.7Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Then run Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and update browsers and applications.

Important

If the scans keep finding new threats on each run, or files reappear after deletion, you may have a deeper compromise that needs a clean Windows reinstall. See pcrisk's full manual malware removal guide for the extended procedure (Process Explorer, Autoruns, hosts file inspection).

9

You entered credentials on a fake login page

Scenario: shared password⚠ Act fast20 min

Assume the attacker has your password and is using it right now. Speed matters.

1. Change the password from a different, known-clean device (your phone is fine if it's not infected). Don't reuse the old password anywhere else.
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. Prefer an authenticator app or hardware key over SMS.
3. Sign out of all sessions - most platforms have a "sign out everywhere" option in security settings, which kicks the attacker out.
4. Review recent activity - look for unfamiliar logins, new devices, forwarding rules, or app permissions. Remove anything you don't recognize.
5. Check your other accounts - if you reused that password anywhere else, change it there too. Check your exposure at haveibeenpwned.com.
6. Update security questions - the attacker may have seen the answers in your account profile.

Why email comes first

If you only have time to change one password, change your primary email password - it's the recovery hub for every other account. An attacker who controls your email can reset everything else.

10

You sent money or shared bank, card, or ID details

Scenario: financial loss⚠ Contact bank now30 min

Time is the single biggest factor in recovering money. Banks can sometimes recall a wire or reverse a card transaction within the first few hours.

1. Call your bank or card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of the card, not any number from the scam email. Ask them to freeze the card, reverse the transaction if possible, and flag the account for fraud monitoring.
2. If you sent a wire transfer or used a money-transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, Wise), call them directly and request a recall. Some can be reversed within minutes if reported fast.
3. If you sent cryptocurrency or gift cards, recovery is unlikely - but report it anyway, since law enforcement tracks these patterns.
4. File a police report. You'll need the report number for any insurance, bank, or credit-bureau claim. Save the report number.
5. File with the right authority for your country:
   • US: ic3.gov + reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • UK: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
   • Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
   • Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
   • EU: your national CERT or police cybercrime unit
6. Set fraud alerts on all major credit bureaus if you shared any ID details. US: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion (Cifas Protective Registration is a stronger option).
7. Save all evidence - the original email (with full headers), screenshots of the fake site, transaction records, any phone numbers or chat logs.

Phase 4~ 15 min + 30 days

Verify & monitor

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11

Final scan and startup-app check

15 min

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner, followed by a Windows Defender quick scan. Then open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to Startup apps - disable anything unfamiliar.

Make sure Windows, browsers, and any applications you use are fully up to date. The infection vector that worked on you once usually involves outdated software.

12

Monitor accounts and credit for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most fraud follow-ups land in the first month. Until that window closes, keep watching:

• Bank and card statements - daily for the first week, then weekly
• Email - watch for password-reset confirmations or login alerts you didn't trigger
• Credit report - US: free at annualcreditreport.com; UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion all have free tiers
• Breach alerts - sign up at haveibeenpwned.com to be notified when your email appears in new leaks

If anything new appears in any of those, treat it as a continuing compromise: change passwords again, contact the bank again, and update the police report.

Important: If you didn't click anything, didn't reply, and didn't open any attachment, your computer is not infected - just delete the email and move on. If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there. That path catches the vast majority of email-borne malware without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.