Removal instructions for the BlackMoon malware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of malware is BlackMoon?
BlackMoon, also known as KrBanker, is a malware categorized as a banking trojan. It has been around since 2014 and has undergone significant changes in its multiple iterations. In the first known attacks involving this malware, it was used to target the customers of South Korean banks.
The purpose of this malicious program is to steal payment-related data. Specifically, BlackMoon seeks to acquire log-in credentials for online banking accounts.
BlackMoon malware overview
BlackMoon is a banking malware that has had many variants throughout the years. How this trojan has been spread and infiltrated systems and what techniques were implemented to carry out the malicious activities – have changed significantly. The core purpose of this program has remained the same – to steal information related to payments.
At the time of writing, BlackMoon achieves its goal by injecting malicious code into browsers. This could be used to alter the appearance of websites, redirect users to phishing pages imitating legitimate sites, etc. The malware aims to obtain the log-in credentials of online banking accounts.
However, it might also target other accounts, such as money transfer, e-commerce, digital wallets, emails, social networking/media, messengers, and so forth.
It is pertinent to mention that malware developers often improve upon their software and methodologies. Therefore, potential future versions of BlackMoon could have additional/different functionalities and features.
In summary, the presence of software like BlackMoon on devices may lead to severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | BlackMoon banking trojan |
| Threat Type | Trojan, banking malware. |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win32:TrojanX-gen [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Zusy.571439), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of Win32/Packed.BlackMoon.A Su), Kaspersky (UDS:Trojan.Win32.Agent.gen), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Blackmoon!rfn), 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. |
Banking trojan examples
We have written about numerous malicious programs; CHAVECLOAK, Ares, Javali, and SolarSys are just a few of our articles on banking trojans.
Malware can have a broad range of functionalities or be designed for an incredibly specific purpose. However, regardless of how a piece of malicious software functions – its presence on a system threatens device integrity and user safety. Hence, all threats must be eliminated immediately upon detection.
How did BlackMoon infiltrate my computer?
Cyber criminals primarily use phishing and social engineering tactics to spread malware. It is widely distributed via backdoor/loader-type trojans, drive-by (stealthy/deceptive) downloads, spam emails (attachments/links), online scams, dubious download sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.), fake updaters, and illegal software activation tools ("cracks").
Furthermore, some malicious programs can self-proliferate through local networks and removable storage devices (e.g., external hard drives, USB flash drives, etc.).
Malware is commonly disguised as or bundled (packed together) with ordinary content. Infectious files come in various formats, e.g., archives (RAR, ZIP, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), documents (Microsoft Office, Microsoft OneNote, PDF, etc.), JavaScript, and so on. Merely opening a malicious file can be enough to initiate the infection chain.
How to avoid installation of malware?
We strongly advise caution when browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears genuine and harmless. Incoming emails and other messages must be treated with care. Attachments or links present in suspicious/irrelevant mail must not be opened, as they can be malicious.
Another recommendation is to download only from official and trustworthy channels. Software must be activated using functions/tools provided by legitimate developers, as those obtained from third-parties may contain malware.
We must stress the importance of having a dependable anti-virus installed and kept up-to-date. Security programs must be used to perform regular system scans and to remove threats and issues. 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 BlackMoon?
- STEP 1. Manual removal of BlackMoon 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 BlackMoon malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
Malware removal seldom necessitates such drastic measures.
What are the biggest issues that BlackMoon malware can cause?
The threats associated with an infection depend on the malware's capabilities and the cyber criminals' goals. BlackMoon targets banking-related information. Hence, this software can cause serious privacy issues, financial losses, and possibly identity theft.
What is the purpose of BlackMoon malware?
Profit is the primary motivation behind malware attacks, and based on BlackMoon's functionalities – it is no exception. However, cyber criminals can also use malicious software to amuse themselves, realize personal grudges, disrupt processes (e.g., sites, services, companies, etc.), engage in hacktivism, and launch politically/geopolitically motivated attacks.
How did BlackMoon malware infiltrate my computer?
Malware is predominantly spread through drive-by downloads, trojans, suspicious download channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), spam mail, online scams, illegal software activation ("cracking") tools, and fake updates. What is more, some malicious programs can self-proliferate via local networks and removable storage devices.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Combo Cleaner can scan systems and eliminate all manner of threats. It is capable of detecting and removing most of the known malware infections. Remember that since sophisticated malicious software tends to hide deep within systems – running a complete system scan is essential.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion