How to remove Nyan Worm malware from your operating system

What is the Nyan Worm malware?

Nyan Worm is a malicious program classified as a Remote Access Trojan (RAT). Malware of this type is designed to enable stealthy access and control over an infected machine. These trojans can have a certain level of control over the device's hardware, software, and stored content and information.

RATs have a wide variety of malicious capabilities and the threats posed by them are likewise varied.

Nyan Worm is also considered to be 'backdoor' malware. This term refers to a piece of software capable of opening a "backdoor" for additional malicious programs. I.e., Nyan Worm can download/install trojans, ransomware, cryptocurrency miners, and different malware.

As mentioned, remote access trojans can have a broad range of dangerous functionalities. Standard RAT features include: content exfiltration and infiltration, installed application management, data stealing, and spying capabilities.

These trojans typically interact with and/or manage the Windows Registry. This database contains settings, options, values and other information relating to the device's hardware and installed software.

Therefore, RATs can manipulate/manage both hardware and software. The former can be: remote keyboard and mouse control, opening/closing the CD-ROM, using the speakers to play audio, recording/streaming audio and video via integrated/connected microphones and webcams, etc.

The latter can entail the malware viewing, opening, running, deleting, and gathering information about installed applications. Some RATs can also end running processes. The malicious programs can have a similar level of control over stored files (e.g., rename, copy, move, download, delete, etc.).

Trojans that are able to infiltrate and execute files, and can be used to cause chain infections. The Nyan Worm RAT has this capability and is thus used to infect the system with trojans, ransomware, cryptominers, and other malware.

Furthermore, many remote access trojans have information-stealing functionalities. As well as downloading stored system/personal files and recording audio/video, these programs can take screenshots, extract data from installed applications, and log keystrokes (keylogging).

Information of interest includes (but is not limited to): various account/platform/service log-in credentials (i.e., IDs, usernames, and passwords), browsing activity, personally identifiable details (e.g., names, addresses, emails, etc.), finance-related data (e.g., banking account details, credit card numbers, etc.), and so on.

To summarize, RAT infection can result in multiple system infections, data loss, device damage, severe privacy issues, significant financial losses, and identity theft.

If it is suspected/known that Nyan Worm (or other malware) has already infected the device, use anti-virus software to eliminate it without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Nyan Worm remote access trojan
Threat Type	Trojan, password-stealing virus, banking malware, spyware.
Detection Names	Avast (Win32:Trojan-gen), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Ransom.Phobos.41), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/Agent.CBW), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.MSIL.APosT.gen), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Ymacco.AAB4), Full List Of Detections (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	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.

JacksBot, Strigoi Master, Elephant, Orcus, and ViperSoftX are some examples of other RATs. Malware can have a variety of malicious functions, which can cause a broad range of serious problems.

Malicious programs can download/install additional malware, encrypt data and/or lock the device's screen for ransom purposes (ransomware), steal information, use system resources to generate cryptocurrency (cryptominers), enable remote access and control over the machine, etc.

System infections pose a threat to both the compromised device and user safety. Therefore, remove all threats immediately upon detection.

How did Nyan Worm infiltrate my computer?

Malware (including ransomware) is usually distributed via malspam campaigns, unofficial software activation ('cracking') tools, Trojans, dubious file/software download sources, and fake software updating tools.

When cyber criminals attempt to distribute malware via malspam campaigns, they send emails that contain malicious attachments or download links for malicious files. Typically, they disguise their emails as official and important. If recipients open the attached file (or a file downloaded via a website link), they cause installation of malicious software.

Cyber criminals commonly attach executable files (.exe), archive files such as RAR, ZIP, PDF documents, JavaScript files and Microsoft Office documents to their emails. Software 'cracking' tools supposedly activate licensed software illegally (bypass activation), however, they often install malicious programs and do not activate any legitimate installed software.

Trojans are other rogue programs that can cause chain infections. I.e., when a Trojan is installed on the operating system, it can install additional malware.

Free file hosting websites, freeware download websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, and third party downloaders are examples of other sources that are used to distribute malware. Cyber criminals disguise malicious files as legitimate and regular. When users download and open them, they inadvertently infect their computers with malware.

Fake software updating tools install malicious software rather than updates/fixes for installed programs, or they exploit bugs/flaws of outdated software that is installed on the operating system.

How to avoid installation of malware

Download software and files from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites or other sources of this kind.

Avoid third party installers. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install unwanted software. Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) that are installed on the browser. The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system.

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 Nyan Worm?
• STEP 1. Manual removal of Nyan Worm 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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