How to remove ElectroRAT from the operating system

What is ElectroRAT?

ElectroRAT is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) written in the Go programming language and designed to target Windows, MacOS, and Linux users. Cyber criminals behind ElectroRAT target mainly cryptocurrency users. This RAT is distributed via the trojanized Jamm, eTrader, and DaoPoker applications.

The aforementioned Jamm and eTrader apps are cryptocurrency trade management applications, and DaoPoker is a cryptocurrency poker app. All three are related to cryptocurrency.

The download websites for these apps were/are promoted by fake users on certain cryptocurrency and blockchain-related forums, and via Twitter and Telegram. Once opened, each of the trojanized apps loads a graphical user interface (GUI) and starts ElectroRAT (which runs hidden in the system background).

ElectroRAT has capabilities such as uploading files from disk, downloading files and executing commands on the victim’s computer, keylogging (keystroke logging) and taking screenshots.

Malware with keylogging features allows cyber criminals to record keyboard input, which is employed to steal personal information that victims enter. For example, credit card details, login credentials (email addresses, usernames, passwords), and other sensitive information, which could be used to steal various accounts and identities, to make fraudulent purchases and transactions, send malspam, and for other malicious purposes.

ElectroRAT can also be used to steal files stored on the victim's computer. For example, it could download and execute malicious files designed to install malware for this purpose.

Threat Summary:

Name	ElectroRAT Remote Access Trojan
Threat Type	Remote Access Trojan
Detection Names (eTrader-0.1.0_mchos.dmg)	AegisLab (Trojan.OSX.Generic.4!c), BitDefender (Trojan.MAC.Agent.IV), GData (Trojan.MAC.Agent.IV), Kaspersky (HEUR:Backdoor.Linux.Electro.gen), Full List (VirusTotal)
Detection Names (eTrader app)	AegisLab (Trojan.Multi.Generic.4!c), BitDefender (Trojan.MAC.Agent.IV), FireEye (Trojan.MAC.Agent.IV), MAX (Malware (ai Score=81)), Full List (VirusTotal)
Malicious Process Name(s)	mdworker (its name may vary)
Symptoms	Remote Access 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.
Additional Information	This RAT targets Windows, MacOS and Linux users
Distribution methods	Trojanized Jamm, eTrade and DaoPoker apps.
Damage	Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, installation of additional malware, monetary and data loss.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Since cyber criminals behind ElectroRAT target mainly cryptocurrency users, victims could lose access to their cryptocurrency wallets or other crypto-related accounts, however, accounts of other types could be targeted as well.

In any case, victims of ElectroRAT attack should remove this malware immediately, change their passwords, and move their cryptocurrency to another wallet.

More RAT examples are Eleanor and Proton.

How did malware install on my computer?

As mentioned, ElectroRAT is distributed via trojanized Jamm, eTrader and DaoPoker applications that were/are promoted on various cryptocurrency and blockchain-related forums, Twitter and Telegram. Note that the apps are designed to run on Windows, MacOS, and Linux operating systems.

Some examples of other ways used by cyber criminals to distribute malware are malspam campaigns (emails with malicious attachments or links within them), unofficial software activation ('cracking') tools, specific Trojans, and unofficial software updating tools.

How to avoid installation of malware

To avoid infecting the system with malware spread through spam mail, you are strongly advised not to open suspicious or irrelevant emails, especially those with any attachments or links present in them. Use official and verified download channels.

Additionally, all programs must be activated and updated with tools/functions provided by legitimate developers, since illegal activation tools ("cracks") and third party updaters commonly proliferate malicious software.

To ensure device integrity and user safety, it is paramount to have reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware software installed and kept updated. Furthermore, use these programs to run regular system scans and to remove detected/potential threats.

Do not trust irrelevant emails that contain attachments or website links, especially if received from unknown, suspicious addresses.

Fake update tools infect systems by installing malicious programs rather than updates/fixes for installed software, or by exploiting bugs/flaws of outdated software that is installed on the computer.

Further encryption of any unaffected files can be prevented by uninstalling the ransomware, however, already compromised files remain encrypted even after removal of the rogue software and can only be recovered from a backup.

If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Installer for the trojanized eTrader app:

GUI of the trojanized eTrader:

Instant automatic Mac 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 Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac 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. Limited seven 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 ElectroRAT?
• STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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