Avoid installation of ClipBanker via a fake PayPal account checker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is fake Paypal account checker?
Fake Paypal account checker is advertised as a tool that supposedly checks whether PayPal accounts are valid. Note that the official PayPal company has nothing to do with this software. If used, it generates a fake list of PayPal accounts and, at the same time, infects computers with ClipBanker malware that steals sensitive information.
Usually, malicious programs such as ClipBanker steal confidential information such as credit card details, bank account numbers, login credentials (e.g., usernames, email addresses, passwords), and other sensitive information from installed browsers and applications.
Typically, cyber criminals developing malware such as ClipBanker target data that can be misused to steal identities and personal accounts, make fraudulent purchases and transactions, and for other malicious purposes.
Users with this malware installed on computers often become victims of identity theft, lose access to various accounts, suffer monetary loss, encounter problems relating to online privacy and browsing safety, and other serious issues.
If fake Paypal account checker or other similar malware is already installed on the operating system, it should be removed immediately.
Name | ClipBanker malware |
Threat Type | Password-stealing virus, banking malware, spyware. |
Detection Names (PaypalChecker.exe) | Avast (FileRepMalware), BitDefenderTheta (Gen:NN.ZemsilCO.34658.bm0@ay3Hjgp), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Generik.MLROXRJ), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Banker.MSIL.ClipBanker.gen), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.B!ml), Full List (VirusTotal). |
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 | Fake Paypal account checker, infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software 'cracks'. |
Damage | Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, monetary loss. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Some examples of other malware infections designed to steal sensitive information are Chaes, Jupyter and FickerStealer. Note that, in some cases, this malware can be designed to steal data and also to infect computers with additional malware (e.g., ransomware, cryptocurrency miners, Trojans).
Typically, victims are unaware that their computers are infected with malware like ClipBanker until some noticeable damage has already been done.
How did Fake Paypal account checker infiltrate my computer?
As mentioned, cyber criminals use malicious software called Paypal account checker to trick users into installing ClipBanker malware. ClipBanker is installed once the malicious PaypalChecker.exe file is executed.
It is likely that the PaypalChecker.exe file is available for download on unofficial websites, forums, or cyber criminals distribute it via a free file hosting website, freeware download site, Peer-to-Peer network (e.g., eMule, some torrent client). Note that cyber criminals can distribute malware in other ways as well. For example, via malspam emails (through malicious attachments or malicious website links within them), third party downloaders and installers, fake software updating tools, unofficial software activation tools (or installers for pirated software), and Trojans.
How to avoid installation of malware
Installed programs must be activated and updated with tools or implemented functions that are provided by the official developers. No other third party, unofficial tools should be used. Note that it is illegal to activate licensed software with ‘cracking’ tools.
Files and programs should be downloaded from official websites and via direct download links. Avoid third party installers and the tools/sources mentioned above. Do not open website links or files in irrelevant emails that are received from unknown, suspicious addresses. These bogus emails are often disguised as official and important.
Regularly, scan your computer with reputable, 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.
PaypalChecker.exe identified as malicious by multiple engines on Virustotal:
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is fake Paypal account checker?
- STEP 1. Manual removal of ClipBanker 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.
cyber criminals malware such as ClipBanker target data that could be misused to steal identities, personal accounts, make fraudulent purchases, transactions or for other malicious purposes. If you have such malware installed on their computers are oftencome victims of identity theft, lose access to various accounts, suffer monetary loss, encounter
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