Remove Virtumonde from PC

Effective methods to delete Virtumonde

Virtumonde otherwise known as Vundo, described as a Trojan that is known to cause pop-ups and advertising for rogue antispyware programs. It also used to deliver other malware to its host computers. This virus typically caused either by opening an email attachment carrying the Trojan or through varieties of browser exploits including vulnerabilities in popular browser plug-ins. Once inside the PC, the malware changes several Windows functions and users begin to experience these virus symptoms immediately.

Although, its primary functions was to show users malicious and fake pop-ups that advertised rogue anti-malware programs such as WinFixer, SysProtect and many others. Once installed, these malware apps would cause other additional problems to victims. Later, Virtumonde was used to perform DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attacks and invade other malware such as rootkits and ransomware. It can change your system security and deeply hide into your files and registry settings to execute harmful activities.

Moreover, this virus will deactivate your firewall security and antivirus programs and make your PC vulnerable for other threats and viruses. What’s more dangerous is that the threat allows its developers to steal confidential information stored on the computer. Such details could include IP addresses, geo-locations, credit card details, bank account details and many more. Huge financial loss, online privacy and even more severe consequences could be the resultant, if gathered details will be shared with third parties.

How did Virtumonde infiltrate on my computer?

Typically, malware is distributed via email spam. Email spam is used to send email containing infectious attachment or download links for those infectious files. The content present on them to click on the provided attachment by disguising it as official, important, legitimate etc. When users open those file, malware automatically gets downloaded and installed into user’s device. Thus, users are advised do not click links in spam. Besides this, other techniques used for the infiltration of malware are unreliable file download sources, fake software updating tools, misleading ads and pop-ups, pirated software, torrent websites, malicious links and so on.

How to avoid installation of malware?

It is advised not trust on irrelevant emails that are received from some suspicious addresses. Files or links attached in them should not be opened. Programs should be downloaded from trustworthy pages and via direct links. Other tools, channels that are mentioned above in the paragraph should not be used. Additionally, installed programs must be updated using tools recommended by its official developers. It is not legal to activate licensed software with unofficial tools or use installers for pirated software. Further, always install reputable antivirus suite and keep it updated to avoid this infection. In case, if you believe that your PC is already infected with Virtumonde then we highly recommend you to use reputable antivirus software that can eliminate infiltrated malware automatically.

Short description

Name: Virtumonde

Type: Trojan, password stealing virus

Functions: The malware can be employed to perform a variety of functions on the host machine, including other malware proliferation, fake alert display that promotes malicious software, DDoS functionality, etc.

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: spam email campaigns, bundled freeware, torrent websites, malicious file downloads, p2p file sharing and many more.

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

Removal: Manual and automatic guidelines as provided under this article.

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 Virtumonde:

Remove the related items of Virtumonde 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 Virtumonde 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 (Virtumonde) 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 Virtumonde 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 Virtumonde 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 Virtumonde 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 Virtumonde 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 Virtumonde (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.

h