How to remove BazarBackdoor

What kind of malware is BazarBackdoor?

BazarBackdoor was developed by the cyber criminals who developed TrickBot. They use this 'backdoor' malware as a tool to compromise infected networks. They might also use it to attack regular users. In most cases, threat actors use software such as BazarBackdoor to steal sensitive, financial data, and install additional malware.

If you have BazarBackdoor or other malware installed on your computer, remove it immediately.

BazarBackdoor in detail

Cyber criminals attempt to trick people into infecting computers with BazarBackdoor by using spam campaigns, which send emails that contain links to malicious websites disguised as MS Office and PDF documents. The web pages deceive visitors into clicking a link that downloads a malicious executable file, the loader for the BazarBackdoor malware.

If executed, this stealthily installs the aforementioned malicious software. Research shows that BazarBackdoor is used to install a cracked version of Cobalt Strike and post-exploitation toolkit. Note that Cobalt Strike is a legitimate security program.

Although, in this case, cyber criminals use its cracked versions to help BazarBackdoor to steal personal information and/or infect computers with additional malware. Usually, backdoor malware is used to steal logins, passwords, credit card details and other sensitive details that could be misused to steal accounts, identities, make fraudulent purchases, transactions, spread spam, etc.

Cyber criminals often sell the stolen information to third parties. Furthermore, BazarBackdoor could be used to infect computers with other malware including, for example, ransomware. This type of malware blocks access to files by encryption and issues ransom messages to the victims.

In most cases, victims cannot decrypt their files without specific tools held only by the cyber criminals who designed the ransomware. To access their files, victims are asked to pay ransoms.

People who have computers infected with malware such as BazarBackdoor might become victims of identity theft, suffer monetary, data loss, experience serious online privacy issues, and other problems. Therefore, if there is a reason to suspect that this, or other malware, is installed on the operating system, remove it immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	BazarBackdoor
Threat Type	Backdoor Trojan, password-stealing virus, banking malware, spyware.
Detection Names	Avast (Win64:Trojan-gen), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Nadrac.26), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win64/Kryptik.BXN), Kaspersky (Trojan.Win32.Mansabo.epw), Full List (VirusTotal).
Payload	Cobalt Strike post-exploitation toolkit, various types of other malware.
Symptoms	Trojans are designed to stealthily infiltrate the victim's computer and remain silent, and thus no particular symptoms are clearly visible on an infected machine.
Distribution methods	Infected email attachments, malicious websites.
Damage	Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, data, monetary loss.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Similarities with other malware of type

Other examples of malicious programs that are used to steal sensitive information and infect computers with additional malware are Guildma, Conteban and LatenBot. Typically, cyber criminals spread this malware to generate as much revenue as possible. They misuse stolen information or sell it to other cyber criminals.

In any case, having computers infected with spyware-type malware, ransomware or other software of this kind leads to other serious problems.

How did BazarBackdoor infiltrate my computer?

Research shows that BazarBackdoor is distributed via spam campaigns: emails that contain links to malicious websites designed to look similar to Microsoft Office, PDF documents. The files are disguised as documents relating to COVID-19 reports, customer complaints, etc.

The messages often relate to official, important matters, thereby tricking people into viewing the documents by clicking a link. If clicked, this downloads an executable file disguised as legitimate PDF or Microsoft Office document. If executed, the file loads BazarBackdoor malware. In this way, it stealthily installs the aforementioned backdoor malware onto the computer.

How to avoid installation of malware

Files and software should be downloaded only from official websites and via direct download links. Other sources and channels such as third party downloaders and installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients), freeware download pages, free file hosting sites, unofficial website should not be trusted.

Emails that are received from suspicious, unknown address and contain web links or attachments should not be trusted. Commonly, these emails are sent by cyber criminals who seek to deceive recipients into infecting computers through a malicious attachment/file.

The emails are generally irrelevant, and yet disguised as important, official. Installed software must be updated (and activated, if necessary) through tools and implemented functions that are designed by official developers. Note that it is illegal to activate any licensed software with unofficial activation ('cracking') tools.

Installed operating systems should be scanned for threats regularly using reputable and up-to-date antivirus or anti-spyware software. If you believe that your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Spam campaign used to distribute BazarBackdoor malware:

Text in this email:

Subject: Re: customer complaint in Bleeping Computer

Good morning
This is corporate lawyer from Bleeping Computer. I tried to reach you in office, but you are not available. When i can call you again?
We will debit your account because of company customer complaint on your, Complaint 4/20 (preview)

Here is a copy of Customer Complaint in Corporate Google Documents:

-
I will be in Bleeping Computer at 4 PM.

Kate Smith
Corporate Lawyer

Update 15 March 2022 - BazarBackdoor malware is now under development by the Conti ransomware group. Its distribution method has also changed: cybercriminals now use website contact forms instead of simple phishing emails to trick users into executing BazarBackdoor. For example, they send an email (disguised as a letter from a legitimate comany) and wait for a recipient to respond. Once recipient has responded, they send a link to a website that hosts a malicious file.

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is BazarBackdoor?
• STEP 1. Manual removal of BazarBackdoor malware.
• STEP 2. Check if your computer is clean.

How to remove malware manually?

Manual malware removal is a complicated task - usually it is best to allow antivirus or anti-malware programs to do this automatically.

To remove this malware we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. If you wish to remove malware manually, the first step is to identify the name of the malware that you are trying to remove. Here is an example of a suspicious program running on a user's computer:

If you checked the list of programs running on your computer, for example, using task manager, and identified a program that looks suspicious, you should continue with these steps:

Download a program called Autoruns. This program shows auto-start applications, Registry, and file system locations:

Restart your computer into Safe Mode:

Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, and then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

Windows 8 users: Start Windows 8 is Safe Mode with Networking - Go to Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click Advanced startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window, select Advanced startup.

Click the "Restart now" button. Your computer will now restart into the "Advanced Startup options menu". Click the "Troubleshoot" button, and then click the "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen, click "Startup settings". Click the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press F5 to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.

Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

Windows 10 users: Click the Windows logo and select the Power icon. In the opened menu click "Restart" while holding "Shift" button on your keyboard. In the "choose an option" window click on the "Troubleshoot", next select "Advanced options". In the advanced options menu select "Startup Settings" and click on the "Restart" button.

In the following window you should click the "F5" button on your keyboard. This will restart your operating system in safe mode with networking.

Video showing how to start Windows 10 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

 

Extract the downloaded archive and run the Autoruns.exe file.

In the Autoruns application, click "Options" at the top and uncheck "Hide Empty Locations" and "Hide Windows Entries" options. After this procedure, click the "Refresh" icon.

Check the list provided by the Autoruns application and locate the malware file that you want to eliminate.

You should write down its full path and name. Note that some malware hides process names under legitimate Windows process names. At this stage, it is very important to avoid removing system files. After you locate the suspicious program you wish to remove, right click your mouse over its name and choose "Delete".

After removing the malware through the Autoruns application (this ensures that the malware will not run automatically on the next system startup), you should search for the malware name on your computer. Be sure to enable hidden files and folders before proceeding. If you find the filename of the malware, be sure to remove it.

Reboot your computer in normal mode. Following these steps should remove any malware from your computer. Note that manual threat removal requires advanced computer skills. If you do not have these skills, leave malware removal to antivirus and anti-malware programs.

These steps might not work with advanced malware infections. As always it is best to prevent infection than try to remove malware later. To keep your computer safe, install the latest operating system updates and use antivirus software.

To be sure your computer is free of malware infections, we recommend scanning it with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

My computer is infected with BazarBackdoor malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?

No, it is not necessary to format the storage device to remove malware like BazarBackdoor.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

Data loss, identity theft, monetary loss, hardware overheat, invaded privacy, and similar issues.

What is the purpose of BazarBackdoor malware?

Cybercriminals use it to steal sensitive information, inject additional malware or install other software (for example, inject the cracked version of the Cobalt Strike and post-exploitation toolkit). They target information (or distribute malware) that would allow them to make fraudulent purchases, hijack online accounts, spread malware, encrypt files, etc.

How did BazarBackdoor malware infiltrate my computer?

It is known that now this malware is distributed using emails. Threat actors send malicious links to recipients who respond to their first email. In other cases, malware is distributed using fake system warning messages, drive-by downloads, Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial software download websites, fake software cracking tools.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and eliminate almost all known malware. In order to remove high-end malware from the operating system, it is necessary to use a full system scan. Otherwise, antivirus software may not detect malware hidden deep in the operating system.

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