Remove CRAT Malware from computer

Simple process to delete CRAT Malware

CRAT Malware is Remote Access Trojan or RAT that allows cyber scammers to remote access to the infected devices that makes them to control and command over it. Depending on its version, this malware can not only be used to access and control system but also to download and install additional malicious components that allow them to monitor clipboard, log keystrokes, capture users screen and encrypt files with ransomware. It disables the security measures to create huge system vulnerabilities.

This dubious Trojan virus can also be used to collect system information such as installed antivirus software and firewall, list of connected devices, sizes of files folders and collect data such as free and total disk space. Further, this malicious threat can also allow cyber criminals to change or manage the system and personal files stored, access to connected hardware, execute shell commands etc. It alters the PC settings to take complete control over the device.

The crooks can endanger the crucial system services, process and can make malicious code entries on the window registry and host file. The can infiltrate other malicious malware by using shell commands such as ransomware, cryptominers etc. CRAT’s ransomware plugin is named as Hansom. It puts files in password-protected RAR archive files and creates ransom notes that contain instructions on how to pay ransom and other details. Cryptominers target to mine cryptocurrency by utilizing system resources and can cause damage.

The ability to record keystrokes allow them to collect data such as login and passwords, credit card numbers and account details of social media accounts. By doing so, they can use the banking credentials and make money transfer and online purchase and create great monetary loss. To sum up, cyber criminals behind CRAT Malware can cause victims lots of problems such as identity theft, data loss and other issues related to online privacy, browsing safety etc.

How did CRAT Malware invade on my PC?

Various tricks are there that cyber criminals used it around to distribute CRAT Malware. The most from these is spam email campaign which is a spam email associated with some malicious attachment in it is delivered on the internet. The recipients are made into believe that the emails is legitimate. The contents convince or sometimes pressurize users to make a click on the associated links that end up into getting the malware attached on it to get inside to the system. Thus, you should not click on any spam email attachment, if you want to avoid intruding this dubious malware infection. Other distribution sources of this malware are Trojans, unreliable software download channels, fake software updating tools and software cracking tools.

How to avoid installation of malware?

You should avoid those above mentioned vulnerable sources while browsing the internet. For any software downloads, you must use official websites and direct download links. You must check custom/advanced settings of installation processes to avoid intrusion of any unwanted apps. The most important thing keeps all installed software activated or updated with tools or functions that are designed by its official developers. None of the third party tools should be used to update or activate software. The longer CRAT Malware stays on your computer the greater will be its impact. Follow the below instructions and delete the threat from the PC with an ease.

Threat summary

Name: CRAT Malware

Type: Trojan, password stealing virus, Keylogger malware

Short Description: Aims to allow cyber hackers to control infected devices remotely.

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 system.

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

Damage: Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, and the victim’s computer added to a botnet.

Removal: In order to remove CRAT Malware, we recommend you to scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.

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 CRAT Malware:

Remove the related items of CRAT 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 CRAT 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 (CRAT 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 CRAT 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 CRAT 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 CRAT 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 CRAT 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 CRAT 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.