How to uninstall CinaRAT malware

What is CinaRAT?

CinaRAT is a Remote Administration Trojan that is very similar to another RAT called Quasar. Typically, RATs allow the attackers to access and control infected machines remotely.

After successful installation, cyber criminals can use CinaRAT to manage files, access Command Prompt, Task Manager, and other Windows features, steal saved passwords from web browsers and FTP software, and log keystrokes. CinaRAT uses certain techniques to avoid antivirus detection.

The attackers can use CinaRAT to open, download, delete, rename, move files that are stored on the infected machine, steal saved passwords from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and possibly other browsers, and installed FTP programs (such as FileZilla).

They can also use it to record keyboard input/keys pressed with the connected keyboard, open Command Prompt and use it to execute various commands, access Task Manager and run or terminate processes (or perform other actions), and use other Windows features.

Therefore, using CinaRAT, cyber criminals can steal personals accounts (for example, email, banking, social media accounts). Depending on the type of stolen accounts, they could be misused to send phishing, malspam emails, make fraudulent purchases and transactions, steal identities, trick other people into making monetary transactions, and for other malicious purposes.

The attackers could also use CinaRAT to install other malware onto the machine. For example, ransomware, or other unwanted software such as cryptocurrency miners.

Since CinaRAT comes with a keylogging feature, it could be used to steal login credentials (such as usernames, email addresses, passwords), credit card details, and other sensitive details, which victims enter using their keyboard.

Therefore, victims of the CinaRAT attack could lose access to a number of personal accounts, have their computers infected with other malware, suffer monetary loss, lose personal, important files, have their identities stolen, and encounter other serious problems.

Therefore, malware like CinaRAT should be removed from the operating system immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	CinaRAT Remote Administration Trojan
Threat Type	Remote Administration Trojan, password-stealing virus, keylogger, banking malware, spyware.
Detection Names (VBScript)	Avast (SNH:Script [Dropper]), BitDefender (Trojan.Agent.FDDK), Emsisoft (Trojan.Agent.FDDK (B)), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.VBS.SAgent.gen), Microsoft (Trojan:Script/Wacatac.C!ml), Full List (VirusTotal)
Detection Names (.NET DLL)	Avast (Win32:Trojan-gen), BitDefender (Trojan.GenericKD.45695179), ESET-NOD32 (MSIL/Agent.AHN), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.MSIL.Agent.gen), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Skeeyah), Full List (VirusTotal)
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.
Distribution methods	Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software 'cracks'.
Damage	Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, the victim's computer added to a botnet.
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.

More examples of Remote Administration Trojans (also known as Remote Administration Trojans) are Orcus, ViperSoftX and ElectroRAT. As a rule, RATs are used to steal sensitive information and to distribute (download and install) other malware.

In most cases, victims are not aware that their computers are infected with RATs, since malware of this type often runs in the system background stealthily and is capable of avoiding antivirus detection. RATs are usually downloaded and installed inadvertently.

How did CinaRAT infiltrate my computer?

It is known that CinaRAT is distributed through an ISO archive file, which contains a malicious Visual Basic script (VBScript) responsible for loading, persistence, and evasion. The VBScript is designed to load a remote .NET DLL executable that injects CinaRAT into a legitimate Windows process (by injection into system processes, malware avoids antivirus detection).

Research shows that there are at least four different versions of CinaRAT, which can be injected through the .NET DLL (.net loader).

It is unknown how cyber criminals distribute the ISO archive file, which contains files necessary for installation of CinaRAT, however, it is likely that they use a malspam campaign (emails that contain attachments or download links for malicious files), pirated software (or 'cracking' tools), dubious sources for downloading files and programs (such as Peer-to-Peer networks, third party downloaders, unofficial pages, free file hosting pages, etc.), or fake software updating tools.

How to avoid installation of malware

Do not trust irrelevant emails that have files attached (or contain website links) and are received from unknown, suspicious addresses. Software should not be downloaded or installed through third party downloaders, installers, unofficial pages or other similar sources/tools.

Use only official websites and direct links. Installed software should never be updated or activated with third party, unofficial tools, since they can install malware. Furthermore, it is illegal to use third party tools to activate licensed software.

The only legitimate way to update and activate software is to use tools and functions that are provided by the official developers. Regularly scan your computer with reputable antivirus or anti-spyware software and keep this software up to date.

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.

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 CinaRAT?
• STEP 1. Manual removal of CinaRAT 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.

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