How to remove Kovter malware from PC

Step by step process to delete Kovter malware

Kovter malware is also known as Trojan.Kovter, Trojan:Win32/Kovter and Trojan.Kovter.297 which is described as an adware type trojan infection that has been designed by cyber crooks in order to generate web traffic for various websites. Having this app inside computer leads to the major problems such as data loss, system malfunctioning, CPU damages, boot errors, software failures, shut down issues and so on. This malware infiltrate into your PC by using malicious Office documents and another trojan. Unlike most infections, Kovter malware is not stored in any files.

Cyber criminals behind this install this malware by creating number of entries in Windows registry. The presence of this infections can cause number of issues such as system performance significantly diminishes since running Internet Explorer processes uses many resources. Further, they can inject other viruses such as ransomware, keyloggers and cryptominers. Ransomware viruses encrypt stored files and then demand ransom fee to supposedly recover the files. keylogger help them to collect the personal information including banking credentials, IP addresses, and so on that can be used in cyber crimes.

Crypto miners target for mining cryptocurrency for its developers by utilizing the most CPU and GPU resources that overheat the system components. Further, it might be used to visit malicious websites and its presence can lead to PC infections. this virus can be detected in various ways. It usually runs a randomly named process in Windows task manager. You should also be able to see multiple Internet Explorer processes. Therefore, if you have noticed any of the aforementioned symptoms, then you must immediately run a full system scan by using reliable antivirus software and eliminate all detected threats.

How did the infection occur?

Trojans and other dubious malware mostly intrude via fake software updaters, scam campaigns, software cracking tools and untrustworthy download sources. Crooks use scam campaigns by sending emails that contain infectious attachments or links. These attachments are usually PDF documents, executable, archive files, JavaScript files and so on. The infection occurs upon opening the attachments. Fake software updater proliferates in computer infection by downloading and installing viruses instead of providing updates. Cracking tools supposedly bypass the activation key for paid software and causes system infection. Untrustworthy software download sources include freeware downloaders, p2p networks etc spread malware by presenting it as legit software.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Users need to be very careful while browsing internet. Use official websites and direct links for any software download. Avoid using aforementioned untrustworthy software downloading sources as they can offers bundled or deceptive content. It is important to handle carefully any emails containing any attachments. Avoid opening such attachments presented on emails whose sender’s addresses seem suspicious. Use officially provided tool for any software update. Cracking tool is illegal to use and often cause computer infection. Moreover, use some reputable antivirus tool that provides regular updates for the installed apps. Remember that caution is key behind computer infection.

Remove Kovter malware

Below step by step malware removal instructions is provided for you so that you will not find any trouble while performing virus removal process. You can use Spyhunter to remove Kovter malware automatically from the system.

Short summary

Name: Kovter malware

Threat Type: Trojan, adware-type infection, spyware, banking malware.

Additional Information: This dubious malware does not store any files on the system and resides entirely in Windows Registry.

Symptoms: Trojans are designed to stealthily infiltrate the victim’s computer and remain silent. Thus, no particular symptoms are clearly visible on an infected machine.

Distribution methods: Infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software cracks.

Damage: Decreased computer performance and internet speed, lack of system resources and infiltrate other additional malware infections.

Removal: Both automatic as well as manual removal guide have been discussed below under this post.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove Kovter malware:

Remove the related items of Kovter malware using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing Kovter malware issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (Kovter malware) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to Kovter malware removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter.  In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to Kovter malware still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove Kovter malware plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”.  Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in Kovter malware removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete Kovter malware (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications.  Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.