Avoid infecting your device with malware via fake "DHL Express" emails

What is "DHL Express" email virus?

"DHL Express Email Virus" is a spam email campaign used to proliferate a high-risk trojan called LokiBot. Cyber criminals send thousands of deceptive emails encouraging users to open attached Microsoft Office documents. This leads to infiltration of the LokiBot trojan.

"DHL Express" email virus overview

"DHL Express Email Virus" campaign emails are essentially notifications of received packages. The messages state that users have received packages and encourage them to read attached documents for detailed information. This is a scam. The attached document infects the system.

Be aware that DHL is a legitimate delivery company and has nothing to do with this spam campaign. Cyber criminals often hide behind names of popular companies and governmental agencies. They do this to increase the number of infections, since users are much more likely to open files when they are received from familiar names.

LokiBot is a high-risk trojan designed to record personal data, such as logins/passwords, web browsing data, and so on. Therefore, LokiBot's developers might gain access to users' personal accounts on social networks, banks, etc. These people aim to generate as much revenue as possible and there is a high probability that hacked accounts will be misused.

The presence of an information-tracking virus such as LokiBot can lead to significant financial loss and even identity theft. If you have already opened "DHL Express Email Virus" campaign attachments, there is a high probability that your computer is infected. Therefore, scan it with a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite and eliminate all threats.

Malware-proliferating spam campaigns in general

"Apple Recent Purchase Email Virus", "Payroll Timetable Email Virus", and "Companies House Email Virus", are a few examples of malware-spreading spam campaigns.

LokiBot shares many similarities with dozens of other trojans that are also proliferated using spam emails. The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) TrickBot, Adwind, Emotet, and FormBook.

Behavior might slightly differ (some track information, others proliferate malware, and so on), but all of these viruses have one thing in common - they pose a significant threat to your privacy and computer safety. Therefore, eliminate trojan-type viruses immediately.

How did DHL Express Email Virus infect my computer?

As mentioned above, the "DHL Express Email Virus" campaign proliferates an infectious MS Office attachment. The document immediately asks victims to enable macro commands, otherwise content will not be displayed properly. In doing so, however, users inadvertently grant attachments permission to execute commands that download and install LokiBot onto the system.

This malware distribution method is simple and extremely effective. Note, however, is that it works only if the user opens the document using tools from MS Office. For example, if a .doc file is opened using any application other than MS Word, the malware will not be downloaded.

Furthermore, LokiBot works on Microsoft Windows and Google Android operating systems only. Users of other platforms are safe.

How to avoid installation of malware?

To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the Internet. Think twice before opening email attachments. Files that seem irrelevant and those received from suspicious/unfamiliar email addresses should never be opened.

Furthermore, have a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and running, since these tools are very likely to detect and terminate malicious files before they harm the system. 2010 and newer versions of MS Office open newly-downloaded documents in "Protected View" mode. This prevents malicious attachments from infecting the system.

Therefore, using older versions is risky. The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. If you have already opened "DHL Express Email Virus" attachment, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "DHL Express Email Virus" email message:

Subject: ARRIVAL NOTICE
Dear Customer
Your shipment has arrived!
Arrival Information
Your package has been arrived to your local DHL office and it’s ready for pick up.
——————————————
ARRIVAL NOTICE
——————————————
DATE & TIME : 2018-09-14 at 4:15
STATUS : Shipment arrived
CLASS: Package services
************************
Please print the receipt that is attached to this email and visit DHL location indicated in the receipt
DHL WorldWide Delivery

Malicious attachment distributed via "DHL Express Email Virus" spam campaign:

Example of yet another DHL Express spam email distributing a malicious .iso file ("gskfyc.iso"):

Text presented within:

Subject: DHL Reference Notification: GSKFYC-70001393282

Greetings

Package delivery attempt failure notice on May 21st, 2020, 01:31 PM

The delivery attempt was unsuccessful because of an incorrect delivery address.
You are kindly advised to contact us for re-delivery with your shipment e-voucher details attached to this mail.
In case the parcel is NOT sheduled for re-delivery in 5days, it will be returned to the sender.

Thank you.
DHL Express Dispatch Department
DHL Team

Example of a DHL Express-themed spam email which is used to spread AgentTesla malware:

Text presented within:

Subject: DHL Commercial Invoice

Greetings!

DHL Express currently has an important shipment on hold awaiting clearance information. I have attached a protected copy of the commercial invoice for this shipment for your review.

In order to process the entry for clearance through the appropriate government agencies,
AS PER NEW GOVERNMENT DETECTIVE AGAINST COVID19, we require the following information and documents:

1. Manufacturer full name, Country and complete address
2. Intended use/ End use of the items in this shipment

Please be advised that DHL Express regulations only permit us to hold this shipment for 8 days to avoid returning this to origin. Please have the required information provided to us by 07/08/20 before 12:00pm EST to avoid return.

Nathaniel Johnston

DHL Express

77 Comair Blvd

Erlanger, KY 41018

nathaniel.johnston@dhl.com

(859)692-5677

A variant of DHL Express-themed spam email used to promote a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: DHL Shipment Notification

 

DHL Express

Dear -,

This is to notify you of a shipment that has been assigned to you as the recipient

To get tracking details of this shipment, please click the button below:

Track My Shipment Now

Shipment Recipient:
This shipment can be cleared only by: -

DHL Express Worldwide 2020.

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Another phishing website promoted via an identical spam email:

An Italian variant of DHL Express spam email used to promote a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: DHL EXPRESS

 

Caro cliente,

DHL ti informa che il pacco n. 8686075905 viene gestito nella nostra rete.

Conferma il pagamento delle spese di spedizione (2,99 CHF) e invia il pacco a casa tua

Fare clic sul collegamento sottostante

Confermare

Cordiali saluti,
DHL Customer Solutions Innovation

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

An example of DHL Express-themed spam email used to spread a malicious MS Excel document (the link within this email downloads the document):

Text presented within:

Subject: DHL Incorrect Delivery Details

 

Hello

Your package has arrived and currently has two failed delivery attempts due to incorrect delivery details
 
Sender Account:  **7583109155
 
Kindly  CLICK HERE to correct your delivery details within 24hrs.  
 
Please note that all undelivered packages are to be returned to the sender after five failed delivery attempts.
 
Thank you for choosing DHL Express Service

Warm Regards,
DHL Express Service
 
Excellence. Simply Delivered:  
International express deliveries; global freight forwarding by air, sea, road and rail; warehousing solutions from packaging, to repairs, to storage; mail deliveries worldwide; and other customized logistic services – with everything DHL does, we help connect people and improve their lives.
THIS IS AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY.

Screenshot of the malicious Excel document:

Another example of DHL Express-themed spam email used to promote a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: AW: DHL DELIVERY DOCUMENT

 

DHL Express
    

Help Center
DHL Shipping Document/Tracking No Confirmation
You have a DHL Shipment  to your destination. The below is the delivery schedule  .
SCHEDULE & DETAILS;  
Type of Shipment: AIR WAYBILL
Dispatch Department: XX-AWB******938
Confirm  the document and Tracking Number below
View Document & Tracking No

Dispatch officer.
Always serving you better!

DHL Express
This is an automated message, please do not reply directly. If you have any questions contact us.
Post DHL Group    

©2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Screenshot of the promoted phishing website - notice that the site is designed to check recipient's email address and set its background accordingly. For example, if victim's email is @yahoo.com, the site will have yahoo.com website picture as background and so forth. In this example, the recipient's email is @pcrisk.com, therefore, the phishing website's background is a picture of pcrisk.com:

Another example of DHL Express-themed spam email used for phishing purposes (the attached HTML document imitates DHL website and sends all the user input into a remote server):

Text presented within:

Subject: DHL EXPRESS SHIPPING

 

Dear -
Your parcel has arrived at  14 Feb 2021 ,
Courier was unable to deliver to you
Please confirm this was for you
CHECK ENCLOSED ATTACHED FILE FOR CONFIRMATION.
Copyright 1999-2021 DHL World Wide Delivery. All rights reserved  .
DHL EXPRESS .
MOBILE : 061-8146654
ID LINE : SSATOOL .123
DHL Express - Excellence. Simply delivered.

Screenshot of the attached HTML document ("INVOICE.html"):

Another example of DHL Express-themed spam email used to promote a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: Your Shipment Has Arrived

DHL Express

Dear -,
Due to several cases of package misplacement we are experiencing recently,
It is now mandatory that we confirm delivery address from the beneficiary before final delivery.  

Kindly Re confirm your delivery address to ensure safe delivery.
Click here to confirm your details now!

Failure to verify address might lead to delay in scheduled delivery or loss of important package.

Regards,
2021 © DHL International GmbH. All rights reserved. 

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Another DHL Express-themed spam email used to promote an identical phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: Re-confirm delivery address

DHL Express
 
Dear ******,
 
Please correct below DHL  incorrect delivery address details on the package registry.
 
DELIVERY INFORMATION
 
Waybill No.
*****9844Y459

Delivery Time
    
Pending Correction
Kindly Re-confirm delivery address to enable us to release this package.
CLICK HERE TO CONFIRM YOUR DELIVERY DETAILS.
NOTE: Failure to verify address might lead to delay in scheduled delivery or loss of
important document.

Regards,
2021 (c) DHL International. All rights reserved.

Yet another example of DHL Express-themed spam email used to promote a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: (DHL) FAILED PACKAGE DELIVERY

DHL Express
 
Hello ********,

Your parcel arrived at our postal service center on March 14, 2021.   But due to incorrect shipping address details on the package registration form, our courier agent cannot deliver the package to you.

SHIPPING INFORMATION
Waybill number
    
*****989377
Scheduled delivery date
    
Tuesday,   March      16th, 2021
delivery time
    
To be corrected

Please re-confirm your delivery address below with your correct email and email password to ensure safe delivery.

CLICK HERE TO CONFIRM YOUR DELIVERY DETAILS.
Failure to verify the address may result in planned delivery delays or loss of important documents.

Regards,
2021 (c) DHL International. all rights reserved.

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Another example of DHL Express-themed spam email used to spread Agent Tesla RAT:

Text presented within:

Subject: DHL Express Delivery Confirmation.

 

Help Center

Dear Valued Customer,

Your package delivery arrived today.

We have package here for you, but your delivery address was incorrect, please download and view the attached file, which contains informations on how to get your package delivered to you.

We are sending you this message because your email address was found as the recipient email address without no phone number.

At DHL we make sure every package is delivered to its rightful destination safe.

Thank you for trusting DHL with your package delivery.

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is from DHL and may contain confidential business information. It is intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient please contact the sender and delete this message and any attachment from your system. Unauthorized publication, use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this E-Mail and its attachments is strictly prohibited.

Another example of DHL Express-themed spam email promoting a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: CONFIRM YOUR DELIVERY DETAILS.

DHL-Express

Dear info

A ticket has been generated to (********) for parcel pick up.

Kindly click the link below for details and verification of your shipping address details.

-

Thank you for letting us serve you better.

Regards,
DHL CustomerCare

Yet another example of DHL Express-themed spam email used to spread Agent Tesla RAT:

Text presented within:

Subject: DHL Shipment Arrival Notification

 

Dear Valued Customer ********,

Please be informed that your order has been dispatched today through DHL Express.

Kindly find the attached delivery documents for your reference.

Best Regards,

Hanan Bohadana,

Gateway- Import Customer Service Customs Agent,

Operation Department,

DHL Express LTD.

custom.first@dhl.com | www.dhl.com

Please consider your environmental responsibility before printing this email

Another example of DHL Express-themed spam email promoting a HTML file designed for phishing purposes:

Text presented within:

Subject: Shipping Document

 

Dear Customer,

Find attached your DHL Shipment receipt.

Download, Print and fill in your correct delivery address for immediate shipment.

Thanks

Laura.

DHL Express |   Contact DHL |  Privacy Policy |  Unsubscribe
2021 © DHL  International GmbH. All rights reserved.

Screenshot of the promoted HTML file:

Another DHL Express-themed spam email promoting a phishing site:

Text presented within:

Subject: You have a new package

Dear ********,

Your shipment /parcel has arrived at our post office on September 09, 2021

However the details provided for dispatch are incomplete / incorrect.

Kindly Download Shipment Receipt, Track on our webpage link _www.dhl.com/dl/tracking

and also correct address to enable us proceed with Dispatch.

DHL WorldWide Delivery

(c) 2012-2021 DHL International

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

A Lithuanian variant of DHL Express-themed spam email spreading malware:

Text presented within:

Subject: DHL PRANEŠIMAS

Gerbiamas kliente,

Atvyko siunta, kurią reikia raštu deklaruoti LR muitinėje. Invoice (sąskaitą-faktūrą) pateikiama prisegtame faile. Prašome pateikti:
 

invoice (sąskaitą-faktūrą) su pristatymo sąlygomis arba išskirtu transportu.
gaunamų prekių aprašymą lietuvių kalba  (iš kokios medžiagos prekė pagaminta, kokią funkciją atlieka, bei kur bus naudojama)
pakavimo lapą arba prekių neto svorį
patvirtinkite ar dokumentuose nurodyta teisinga prekių vertė
parašykite sandorio rūšį  ( pirkimas, nemokamas gavimas, laikinas įvežimas )
jei siunčiate daugiau nei 5000 vnt apsauginių kaukių, prašome pateikti - atitikties sertifikatą, CE ženklinimą patvirtinančius dokumentus, kuriuose turi būti nurodytas ir kaukių modelis (FFP1, FFP2, FFP3), techninius dokumentus, kuriuose būtų nurodytas EN149 žymuo. Tik gavus visus reikalingus dokumentus, galėsime atlikti muitinės formalumus.

Atkreipiame dėmesį, kad DHL Express taikomos laikinojo saugojimo procedūros. Per 5 kalendorines dienas nuo siuntos atvykimo nepateikus išmuitinimui reikalingos informacijos pradedama siuntos grąžinimo procedūra. Neišmuitintos per 20 dienų siuntos yra grąžinamos siuntėjui be išankstinio perspėjimo. Atvykusi siunta  4 dienas sandėliuojama nemokamai, po to pradedamas skaičiuoti sandėliavimo mokestis 5 eur/dienai.
 
Norime Jus informuoti, kad šiuo metu yra padidėjęs muitinamų siuntų kiekis. Dedame visas pastangas, kad Jūsų siuntą išmuitintume kaip įmanoma greičiau.Siuntos yra išmuitinamos eilės tvarka, tačiau esant dideliam siuntų kiekiui, išmuitinimo procesas gali užtrukti ilgiau nei įprastai.Išmuitinimo procedūra ir dokumentai taip pat gali būti perduoti Jūsų pasirinktam muitinės tarpininkui. Nusprendę pasirinkti kitą muitinės tarpininką, praneškite mums muitinės tarpininko pavadinimą bei el.pašto adresą.

Pagarbiai / Kind regards,
 
Samanta Norkinaitė

Muitinės tarpininkų asistentė/ Customs Broker Assistant

Darbo laikas: 7.00-16.00

Tel.: 870077060

DHL Lietuva, UAB

Dariaus ir Girėno g. 81

LT - 02189 Vilnius 

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Types of malicious emails:

If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file from a suspicious email, run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. If you only received the email and didn't engage with it, you don't need to scan anything - just identify the scam and delete it. The full procedure below covers both situations and what to do if you already clicked, replied, or sent money.

Credential theft Phishing emails

Fake login pages disguised as PayPal, Microsoft, Apple, banks, or social networks. The email pushes a link to a near-perfect copy of the real login screen. The moment you type your username and password, the attacker has them.

Common subject lines

• "Action required: confirm your account"
• "Your password expires today"
• "Unusual sign-in attempt detected"
• "Verify your billing information"

Malware delivery Emails with malicious attachments

Trojans hidden inside fake invoices, faxes, shipping confirmations, or Office documents. Opening the attachment runs the payload and infects the system - often with an info-stealer or remote-access trojan.

Common subject lines

• "Invoice INV-2026-XXXX attached"
• "Fax received - 3 pages"
• "Your shipping document is ready"
• "Voicemail from +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX"

Extortion Sextortion emails

Fake claims of webcam recordings demanding cryptocurrency. Almost always a bluff: the attacker pulls a real password from an old data breach to make the threat look credible, then claims to have video of you. They have no recording and no access.

Common subject lines

• "I know your password is XXXX"
• "Your account has been hacked"
• "I have recorded you - 48 hours to pay"
• "You have been compromised"

Callback fraud Refund & callback scams

"Your subscription was renewed for $499 - call to cancel." Norton, McAfee, Geek Squad, PayPal, and Wells Fargo variants are all common. There's no real subscription. The phone number in the email connects directly to the scammer, who walks you through "refunding" yourself - which is actually them stealing money from your bank.

Common subject lines

• "Norton subscription auto-renewed - $499.99"
• "McAfee Total Protection invoice"
• "Geek Squad order confirmation"
• "Your PayPal payment is being processed"

Credential theft Account suspension & verification scams

"Your account will be deleted in 24 hours - verify now." The artificial deadline is the whole point: it pressures you to click before checking details. The "verify" link goes to a phishing page styled to look like the real provider.

Common subject lines

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Suspicious activity detected - verify now"
• "Final warning: account closure"
• "Action required to keep your account active"

Mixed payload Delivery & package scams

Fake DHL, USPS, UPS, or FedEx tracking, customs fees, or "package undeliverable" notices. Targets anyone expecting a parcel - the timing alone catches many people. The link hides either phishing (asking for card details to "release" the package) or a malware download.

Common subject lines

• "Your DHL package is held at customs"
• "USPS - delivery attempt failed"
• "FedEx tracking update - action required"
• "Pay $2.99 redelivery fee to release your parcel"

Remote access Tech support scams

Fake Microsoft, Apple, or "Windows Defender" security alerts pushing a phone number. Real Microsoft and Apple never email a phone number to call. The number connects you to a scammer who asks for remote access to "fix" the imaginary problem and then demands payment.

Common subject lines

• "Microsoft Defender expired - renew now"
• "Apple ID security alert"
• "Critical: virus detected on your PC"
• "Windows license expired - call now"

Wire fraud Advance-fee scams

Inheritance, lottery wins, romance, or business deals that ask for a small fee to release a much larger sum. The classic "Nigerian prince" 419 family of frauds. Once you pay the first fee, more fees appear (taxes, lawyer, transfer charges) until you stop paying. The promised money never exists.

Common subject lines

• "Inheritance from a relative you didn't know about"
• "You won the international lottery"
• "URGENT - business proposal worth $XX million"
• "Compensation fund release for fraud victims"

Wire fraud Business email compromise (BEC)

CEO impersonation asking employees to wire money or buy gift cards, or fake supplier invoices with newly "updated" bank details for payment redirection. The email often spoofs a real internal executive's display name and uses an external lookalike domain.

Common subject lines

• "Quick task - need you to buy gift cards"
• "Updated banking details for invoice payment"
• "Wire transfer request - urgent"
• "Are you available?" (CEO impersonation opener)

How to spot a malicious email?

Phase 1~ 2 min

Spot - identify the red flags

---

1

Check the sender's actual address, not the display name

30 sec

The display name (the human-readable part) is trivial to fake. Always check the full address that comes after it. Common red flags:

• Domain mismatch - service@paypa1.com, support@micros0ft-help.com, look-alike domains using digits or extra hyphens
• Free-email impersonation - any "official" message from a bank, courier, or platform sent from a @gmail.com, @outlook.com, or @yahoo.com address
• Reply-To mismatch - the From address looks legitimate but Reply-To points somewhere completely different

Why this matters

Real companies own their domains and send mail from them. A "DHL" message from a Gmail address is never legitimate, regardless of how convincing the body looks.

2

Watch for urgency, threats, and generic greetings

30 sec

Scams almost always rush you. The point is to make you act before you think. Treat any of the following as a strong signal:

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Final notice" / "Immediate action required"
• "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" instead of your real name
• Threats of fines, account closure, legal action, or arrest
• Promises of refunds, prizes, or money you didn't earn
• Spelling and grammar mistakes in messages claiming to come from a major brand

3

Hover over every link before clicking

30 sec

On a desktop, hover the mouse over the link without clicking. The real destination shows in the bottom-left status bar of your browser or email client. On a phone, long-press the link to preview the URL.

• Real Microsoft, PayPal, or bank links go to those exact domains, not redirects through unrelated sites
• Shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, t.co) hide the real destination - never click them in unsolicited mail
• The visible link text and the actual URL must match - mismatches are the single biggest phishing red flag

Pro tip

When in doubt, don't click the link. Open a new browser tab and type the company's address yourself, then log in normally. If there really is an issue with your account, you'll see it there.

4

Treat unexpected attachments as hostile

30 sec

If you didn't ask for the file, don't open it - even if it appears to come from someone you know. Categories that should never be opened from email without verification through another channel:

• .exe, .scr, .iso, .img, .vbs, .bat - executables, never legitimate attachments
• .docx, .xlsx, .pptx with "Enable macros" prompts - the macros run the malware
• .pdf with "Click here to view" buttons - usually a phishing redirect, not a real document
• .zip, .rar, .7z archives, especially password-protected ones - the password defeats the email scanner

Phase 2~ 2 min

Report and delete - if you haven't engaged

---

If you only received the email and didn't reply, click, or open anything, the steps below are all you need. Your computer is not infected.

5

Don't reply, don't click "unsubscribe"

30 sec

Replying confirms your address is real and monitored, which gets you added to higher-value scam lists. The "unsubscribe" link in a scam message is rarely a real opt-out - it usually leads to a phishing page or downloads a tracking pixel.

Instead, mark the message as junk or phishing inside your email client (this trains the spam filter), then block the sender.

6

Report the scam to your email provider and authorities

1 min

Inside your email client:

• Gmail: open the message → ⋮ menu → Report phishing
• Outlook / Outlook.com: ⋯ menu → Report → Report phishing
• Apple Mail / iCloud: Move to Junk, then forward to reportphishing@apple.com

Forward or report to authorities:

• International: forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
• United States: ic3.gov (FBI)
• United Kingdom: forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (NCSC SERS); for financial loss report at reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
• Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
• Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
• EU: your national CERT - find yours via the ENISA CSIRT map

After reporting, delete the email and empty the Trash folder so you don't accidentally open it later.

Phase 3~ 10–60 min

Recover - if you already engaged with the scam

---

Pick the step below that matches what you did. If multiple apply, work through them in the order they appear - the steps are arranged from lowest to highest risk.

7

You only clicked a link (didn't enter anything or download anything)

Scenario: clicked link only10 min

Close the page right away. Don't enter any information, even if the page looks legitimate.

• Clear your browser cache and cookies for the last hour - Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Del → Last hour → check Cookies and Cached files
• Run a quick scan with Combo Cleaner in case the page tried to drop a file silently (drive-by download)
• Update your browser to the latest version - most drive-by exploits target outdated browsers
• Watch for new browser pop-ups, redirects, or unfamiliar notifications over the next few days

Why this matters

Modern browsers block most drive-by attacks, but a single click on a phishing page can still be enough on an outdated browser or unpatched plugin. A quick scan catches anything that landed silently.

8

You opened an attachment or downloaded a file - run a full malware scan

Scenario: opened attachment⚠ Highest risk60–90 min

Opening an attachment is the most common path to actual infection. Treat the system as compromised until the scans below come back clean. Work through these sub-steps in order:

8.1Disconnect from the network

Unplug Ethernet and turn off Wi-Fi. If the attachment was an info-stealer or remote-access trojan, this stops it from sending data out or receiving commands. Keep the network off until you've booted into Safe Mode (next step) - you'll reconnect there briefly to download the scanners.

8.2Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, then download the scanners

Windows 11: Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: hold Shift, click Power → Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in 8.4) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in 8.5). Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers, so most malware can't auto-run while you're getting the tools. Save both installers to your Desktop.

8.3Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads - this is what catches rootkits and bootkits.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8.4Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Install Combo Cleaner and run a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete fully, review what it found, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner will quarantine known trojans and remove their persistence in the registry.

8.5Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe). The binary expires every 10 days, which means every download has the latest signatures. Run a full scan after Combo Cleaner to catch anything one engine alone might miss.

8.6Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

Many email-borne trojans drop adware that hijacks browsers. Reset each browser you use:

Chrome: chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to their original defaults. Then chrome://settings/content/notifications - remove unfamiliar sites.

Edge: edge://settings/reset. Then edge://settings/content/notifications.

Firefox: about:support → Refresh Firefox.

8.7Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Then run Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and update browsers and applications.

Important

If the scans keep finding new threats on each run, or files reappear after deletion, you may have a deeper compromise that needs a clean Windows reinstall. See pcrisk's full manual malware removal guide for the extended procedure (Process Explorer, Autoruns, hosts file inspection).

9

You entered credentials on a fake login page

Scenario: shared password⚠ Act fast20 min

Assume the attacker has your password and is using it right now. Speed matters.

1. Change the password from a different, known-clean device (your phone is fine if it's not infected). Don't reuse the old password anywhere else.
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. Prefer an authenticator app or hardware key over SMS.
3. Sign out of all sessions - most platforms have a "sign out everywhere" option in security settings, which kicks the attacker out.
4. Review recent activity - look for unfamiliar logins, new devices, forwarding rules, or app permissions. Remove anything you don't recognize.
5. Check your other accounts - if you reused that password anywhere else, change it there too. Check your exposure at haveibeenpwned.com.
6. Update security questions - the attacker may have seen the answers in your account profile.

Why email comes first

If you only have time to change one password, change your primary email password - it's the recovery hub for every other account. An attacker who controls your email can reset everything else.

10

You sent money or shared bank, card, or ID details

Scenario: financial loss⚠ Contact bank now30 min

Time is the single biggest factor in recovering money. Banks can sometimes recall a wire or reverse a card transaction within the first few hours.

1. Call your bank or card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of the card, not any number from the scam email. Ask them to freeze the card, reverse the transaction if possible, and flag the account for fraud monitoring.
2. If you sent a wire transfer or used a money-transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, Wise), call them directly and request a recall. Some can be reversed within minutes if reported fast.
3. If you sent cryptocurrency or gift cards, recovery is unlikely - but report it anyway, since law enforcement tracks these patterns.
4. File a police report. You'll need the report number for any insurance, bank, or credit-bureau claim. Save the report number.
5. File with the right authority for your country:
   • US: ic3.gov + reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • UK: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
   • Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
   • Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
   • EU: your national CERT or police cybercrime unit
6. Set fraud alerts on all major credit bureaus if you shared any ID details. US: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion (Cifas Protective Registration is a stronger option).
7. Save all evidence - the original email (with full headers), screenshots of the fake site, transaction records, any phone numbers or chat logs.

Phase 4~ 15 min + 30 days

Verify & monitor

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11

Final scan and startup-app check

15 min

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner, followed by a Windows Defender quick scan. Then open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to Startup apps - disable anything unfamiliar.

Make sure Windows, browsers, and any applications you use are fully up to date. The infection vector that worked on you once usually involves outdated software.

12

Monitor accounts and credit for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most fraud follow-ups land in the first month. Until that window closes, keep watching:

• Bank and card statements - daily for the first week, then weekly
• Email - watch for password-reset confirmations or login alerts you didn't trigger
• Credit report - US: free at annualcreditreport.com; UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion all have free tiers
• Breach alerts - sign up at haveibeenpwned.com to be notified when your email appears in new leaks

If anything new appears in any of those, treat it as a continuing compromise: change passwords again, contact the bank again, and update the police report.

Important: If you didn't click anything, didn't reply, and didn't open any attachment, your computer is not infected - just delete the email and move on. If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there. That path catches the vast majority of email-borne malware without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Spam emails are sent in mass-scale campaigns; hence, thousands of users receive the same letter.

I have read the "DHL Express" spam email but didn't open the attachment, is my computer infected?

No, simply opening a spam email will not initiate malware download/installation. These processes begin when the attachments or links found in these emails are opened.

I have downloaded and opened the file attached to the "DHL Express" spam email, is my computer infected?

Whether an infection was triggered - depends on the file's format. If it was an executable - most likely, yes. On the other hand, document files (e.g., .pdf, .doc, etc.) may require additional actions (e.g., macro commands enablement, etc.) to jumpstart infection processes.

My computer is infected with LokiBot malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?

No, formatting is unnecessary for LokiBot's removal.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

The threats posed by a malicious program depend on its abilities and how the cyber criminals use it. Since LokiBot malware is designed to steal information, it mainly endangers user privacy and financial integrity. In general, system infections can compromise its operation and cause hardware damage or permanent loss.

What is the purpose of malware?

Malware is mainly used by cyber criminals to generate profit. However, this software might be because of other reasons like criminals' amusement, political/geopolitical motivations, targeting specific victims (personal reasons), process (e.g., website, service, company, etc.) disruption, and so on.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections present in email attachments?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of detecting and eliminating practically all known malware infections. It must be stressed that running a full system is a must - as sophisticated malware typically hides deep within systems.