How to remove UnicornSpy from compromised systems

What kind of malware is UnicornSpy?

UnicornSpy is malware used to steal sensitive information. Cybercriminals have been observed using UnicornSpy to target energy companies, factories, and suppliers (and developers) of electronic components. The channel used for the distribution of this malware is email. However, threat actors may also deliver UnicornSpy using other methods.

More about UnicornSpy

UnicornSpy targets certain types of files, particularly those that are smaller than 50 MB. These files include a variety of common document and image formats such as .txt, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .png, .rtf, .jpg, and compressed files like .zip and .rar.

By focusing on these file types, UnicornSpy may aim to exfiltrate documents, images, or archives that are likely to contain valuable or sensitive data. In addition to targeting specific file types, the malware also targets data stored in the Telegram Desktop directory.

This folder likely contains information related to the victim's Telegram messages and other data associated with the Telegram app. By copying this data to a new folder created by the malware, it attempts to gain access to personal communication and potentially sensitive information stored on the device.

Overall, this malware appears to focus on collecting specific user data, including documents, images, and communication logs. The stolen data might be sold or misused in other ways, leading to identity theft, financial loss, and other issues. It should be removed from infected systems immediately to avoid potential consequences.

Threat Summary:

Name	UnicornSpy Trojan
Threat Type	Trojan
Detection Names	Avast (Other:Malware-gen [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Heur.BZC.YAX.Nioc.1.0DC6A8A8), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Generik.FNLOHNM), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.Multi.GenBadur.genw), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Vigorf.A), 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	Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software 'cracks'.
Damage	Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, financial loss, and more.
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, UnicornSpy is designed to steal sensitive data, focusing on specific file types. This malware can compromise personal information, which can result in privacy violations and other issues. It is important to be careful and use reliable security measures to protect against such threats. Regularly updating software and avoiding suspicious files or links can help minimize the risk.

How did UnicornSpy infiltrate my computer?

UnicornSpy infiltrates a computer through a malicious email attachment or a link to a file on a Yandex Disk. The file is a RAR archive containing a disguised shortcut (with .pdf.lnk extension) that, when opened, runs a harmful script. This script downloads other harmful files onto the computer, which then starts stealing specific types of files and sends them to the attackers' server.

It is also common for malware to be delivered via malicious advertisements, software vulnerabilities, pirated software, cracking tools, technical support scams, deceptive (or compromised) websites, third-party downloaders, and P2P networks.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Regularly update the operating system and installed programs. Do not open suspicious links or attachments in irrelevant, unexpected, or similar emails from unknown addresses. Avoid visiting questionable websites and clicking pop-ups, ads, buttons, and links on web pages of this kind. Use a reputable security tool.

Download software (and files) from official websites or app stores. Avoid using other sources (examples are given in the previous paragraph). 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 UnicornSpy?
• STEP 1. Manual removal of UnicornSpy 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 UnicornSpy malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?

While formatting your storage device can remove UnicornSpy, it will also delete all your data. It is recommended to first attempt using reliable security software, such as Combo Cleaner, to detect and eliminate the malware before resorting to a complete format.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

Malware can lead to serious issues, including the theft of personal data, financial losses, and encryption of files. It can also harm your system, introduce additional malicious software, and create other problems.

What is the purpose of UnicornSpy?

The purpose of UnicornSpy is to steal sensitive information from infected computers. It targets specific files, such as documents, images, and archives, to exfiltrate valuable data. The malware also focuses on capturing data from the Telegram app, which may include private messages and other personal information.

How did UnicornSpy infiltrate my computer?

UnicornSpy likely infiltrated your computer through a malicious email attachment or a link to a file hosted on an unreliable platform like Yandex Disk. The attachment may have been a RAR archive containing a malicious file that, once opened, triggered the download and execution of the malware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Combo Cleaner is effective at detecting and removing most common malware infections. However, more advanced threats might hide deeper within the system. To ensure complete removal, it is recommended to run a full system scan.

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