How to eliminate RunningRAT

What kind of malware is RunningRAT?

RunningRAT is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) that was known for stealing sensitive information from victims. Now, cybercriminals are using it to distribute cryptocurrency miners. RunningRAT is likely to lead to higher electricity costs and hardware damage for victims. Thus, it should be removed from infected systems as soon as possible.

More about RunningRAT

As mentioned in the introduction, RunningRAT was originally used for data theft and remote control over infected systems. It was first observed in 2018. RunningRAT operates with stealth, leveraging two DLLs—one to disable anti-malware tools and the other to gather system data and communicate with its command-and-control (C2) server.

In current attacks, threat actors are using RunningRAT to inject cryptocurrency miners, allowing them to exploit victims’ systems for financial gain. It is known that the attackers use the infected computers to mine Monero cryptocurrency using XMRig software.

Cryptocurrency mining requires system resources. Because XMRig uses much of the computer's CPU, infected computers become very slow or even unresponsive, which could lead to system crashes, loss of unsaved data and other issues. The mining also consumes more electricity, which can lead to higher electricity bills.

Given RunningRAT’s history, this malware may be adapted for a range of malicious purposes in the future. For instance, attackers could leverage its remote access capabilities to inject other malware, such as ransomware, which could prevent victims from accessing their files through encryption until they pay a ransom.

Threat Summary:

Name	RunningRAT remote access trojan
Threat Type	Remote Administration Trojan
Detection Names	Avast (Win32:BackdoorX-gen [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.GenericKD.61013316), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Farfli.CNM), Kaspersky (Backdoor.Win64.Winnti.wd), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Fareit!pz), Full List (VirusTotal)
Payload	Cryptocurrency miners
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.
Possible Distribution methods	Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, pirated software, technical support scams, software 'cracks', etc.
Damage	System crashes, high CPU usage, data loss, and possibly other issues.
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.

Conclusion

In conclusion, RunningRAT is a dangerous malware that was used to steal data and is now being employed to mine cryptocurrency. It can cause serious harm, including financial loss and system damage. Users should stay alert and use strong security measures to protect against this and similar threats.

More examples of malware functioning as a RAT are ElizaRAT, PowerRAT, and BlotchyQuasar.

How did RunningRAT infiltrate my computer?

Malware is distributed in various ways. Cybercriminals often send malicious links or files via email, exploit software vulnerabilities, use technical support scams, create malicious advertisements, or distribute infected pirated software (or cracking tools, key generators) to deploy malware.

They also use P2P networks, third-party downloaders, free file hosting pages, deceptive (or compromised) websites, etc., to deliver malware. Usually, they aim to trick users into running malware via infected files (e.g., script files, MS Office documents, PDFs) or programs.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Download files and programs only from official websites or trusted app stores. Avoid downloading pirated software or using cracking tools. Be cautious with emails that contain links or attachments, especially if they are from unknown senders.

Refrain from clicking on ads, pop-ups, or links on suspicious websites, and do not agree to receive notifications from these sites. Keep your operating system and software up to date, and use a reliable security solution, such as antivirus or anti-malware software, to protect your device.

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 RunningRAT?
• STEP 1. Manual removal of RunningRAT 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 RunningRAT malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?

Formatting your storage device can get rid of RunningRAT. However, doing so will erase all data. Therefore, it is better to first try using trusted security software like Combo Cleaner to detect and remove the malware.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

Malware can cause severe consequences, such as theft of personal information, financial damage, and file locking through encryption. It can also lead to system damage, introduce other harmful software, and cause various other complications.

What is the purpose of RunningRAT?

The purpose of RunningRAT is to provide remote access to infected computers. It is known that the attackers are now using it to deploy cryptocurrency mining software, specifically for mining Monero.

How did a malware infiltrate my computer?

Malware is spread through various methods, including malicious email links, software vulnerabilities, fake technical support, infected ads, and pirated software. Cybercriminals also use P2P networks, third-party downloaders, and deceptive websites to trick users into downloading or running malicious files and programs.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Combo Cleaner can detect and remove most known malware infections, but advanced threats may hide deep within the system. Running a full system scan is highly recommended for thorough detection.

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