Virus and Spyware Removal Guides, uninstall instructions

What is the Luca stealer?

Luca (also known as RSStealer) is a piece of malicious software categorized as a stealer. Malware of this kind operates by extracting a wide range of vulnerable data from infected devices. The Luca stealer is written in the Rust programming language.

This program's source code was leaked by its developer(s) on the 3rd of July, 2022 - on a hacker forum, and afterwards Luca made its appearance on GitHub.

At the time of writing, the developer(s) have updated this stealer three times, and with the malware's public accessibility - it is likely to receive continuous updates and changes. Therefore, Luca's capabilities, distribution, and use can vary depending on the variant and the cyber criminals using it.

What kind of software is StepWarrior?

Our team discovered the StepWarrior application after downloading and testing a fake Adobe Flash Player installer (that installer was downloaded from an unofficial site). We found that the purpose of StepWarrior is to display intrusive advertisements. Thus, we concluded that StepWarrior operates as adware.

What kind of malware is Nitro22?

While examining malware samples submitted to the VirusTotal website, we discovered Nitro22 ransomware - malware that encrypts files to blackmail victims. Also, Nitro22 changes the desktop wallpaper and creates a ransom note (the "#Decryption#.txt" file), and appends the ".nitro" extension to filenames.

An example of how files encrypted by Nitro22 ransomware are renamed: "1.jpg" is renamed to "1.jpg.nitro", "2.png" to "2.png.nitro", "3.exe" to "3.exe.nitro", and so forth.

What is Vvwq ransomware?

Our research team discovered the Vvwq ransomware-type program during a routine inspection of new submissions to VirusTotal. This malicious program belongs to the Djvu ransomware family.

We executed a sample of Vvwq ransomware on our testing system, and it began encrypting files. The filenames of the affected files were appended with the ".vvwq" extension, e.g., a file like "1.jpg" appeared as "1.jpg.vvwq", "2.png" as "2.png.vvwq", etc. Once the encryption process was completed, a ransom note - "_readme.txt" - was created.

What kind of application is CacheOptimization?

CacheOptimization is an advertising-supported application that displays annoying advertisements. It has no useful features or provides other value. Our team discovered CacheOptimization after examining a fake installer downloaded from a shady page. Like most apps of this kind, CacheOptimization is promoted and distributed using deceptive methods.

What kind of malware is Vveo?

Vveo is ransomware designed to encrypt files, append the ".vveo" extension to filenames, and drop the "_readme.txt" file (a ransom note). We found that Vveo is part of the Djvu ransomware family. Our team discovered this ransomware while analyzing malware samples submitted to the VirusTotal website.

An example of how files encrypted by Vveo are renamed: "1.jpg" is renamed to "1.jpg.vveo", "2.png" to "2.png.vveo", "3.exe" to "3.exe.vveo", and so forth.

What kind of malware is Vvew?

Vvew is ransomware belonging to the Djvu family. Our team discovered it while checking VirusTotal for recently submitted malware samples. We found that Vvew appends the ".vvew" extension to filenames and creates the "_readme.txt" file containing contact and payment information.

An example of how Vvew renames encrypted files: it changes "1.jpg" to "1.jpg.vvew", "2.png" to "2.png.vvew", "3.exe" to "3.exe.vvew", and so forth.

What is "Background Colors"?

While checking out dubious sites that promote software, our researchers found the Background Colors browser extension. It is presented as a tool capable of changing website background colors. However, after analyzing Background Colors, we learned that instead of working as advertised - this extension operates as adware.

What is AnalyzerState?

Our research team discovered the AnalyzerState rogue application during a routine inspection of new submissions to VirusTotal. After analyzing this piece of software, we determined that it operates as adware. Furthermore, we learned that AnalyzerState belongs to the AdLoad malware family.

What kind of page is captcha4you[.]top?

Captcha4you[.]top is a rogue site designed to trick visitors into allowing it to deliver browser notification spam. Additionally, this webpage is capable of redirecting users to other (likely dubious/malicious) websites.

Our researchers discovered captcha4you[.]top while inspecting sites that use rogue advertising networks. It is noteworthy that redirects caused by the aforementioned pages are how most users access captcha4you[.]top and similar websites.