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Eliminate Dridex malware from the operating system

Trojan

Also Known As: Dridex virus

Tomas Meskauskas

(updated)

Damage level:

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What is Dridex?

Dridex (also known as Bugat and Cridex) is a malicious program that is used to steal banking credentials from users of Windows computers.

Cyber criminals proliferate this rogue software when it is downloaded and installed through a malicious Microsoft Word or Excel document. Once installed, it targets banking information. Therefore, users with computers infected by Dridex are likely to experience financial loss.

Dridex malware

Dridex malware in detail

The main goal of this malware is to steal sensitive details relating to victims' bank accounts, such as online banking credentials. Therefore, this malicious software helps distributors and cyber criminals to access victims' bank accounts and make fraudulent transactions - effectively stealing money from unsuspecting people.

This malicious software operates as a key logger and records keystrokes (keys pressed). Cyber criminals seek to infect computers with these key loggers so they can steal logins, passwords, and other sensitive details, including banking credentials. This program is also capable of performing several 'injection attacks'.

These attacks allow injection of malware into a computer system to execute remote commands or inject code into a specific program and modify its execution/behavior. Furthermore, the latest Dridex variant is difficult to detect, since it is capable of evading anti-virus detections.

It uses file signatures that go undetected as threats, and thus Dridex bypasses virus detection engines. Additionally, this malware uses an Application Whitelisting technique to block elements of WSH (Windows Script Host). It takes advantage of a WMIC (WMI command-line) flaw by targeting a weak spot (execution policy) in the application whitelisting process.

To bypass mitigation efforts, Dridex malware loads XLS scripts that contain malicious Visual Basic Script. In summary, this is advanced malware, which is goes undetected. If you have reason to believe that your computer is infected with Dridex, remove it immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Dridex virus
Threat Type Trojan, Password-stealing virus, Banking malware, Spyware
Detection Names Avast (Win32:Trojan-gen), BitDefender (Trojan.GenericKD.41400500), ESET-NOD32 (Win32/Dridex.CO), Kaspersky (Trojan.Win32.Chapak.druk), Full List (VirusTotal)
Payload Banking trojan, keylogger
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 Infected email attachments and compromised FTP websites.
Damage Stolen banking information, logins, passwords. Injection attacks.
Additional Information The latest Dridex version is capable of avoiding detection by virus detection engines.
Malware Removal (Windows)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.

Download Combo Cleaner

To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Malware of this type in general

There are a number of malware infections used to steal personal details. Some examples are Emotet, Adwind, FormBook, and AZORult.

Typically, cyber criminals spread these programs to generate revenue by stealing personal details, distributing other malware such as ransomware, and so on. These programs can cause serious problems (financial, data loss, privacy issues, etc.). For this reason, it is important to eliminate them immediately.

How did Dridex infiltrate my computer?

Research shows that cyber criminals poliferate Dridex through spam campaigns. They send emails that contain attached Microsoft Word or Excel files. Typically, these emails are presented as official and important. In our example, the email is disguised as a message regarding an invoice.

The main purpose of this spam campaign is to trick people into opening the attached file, which then causes download and installation of a malicious program. In this case, an MS Office file infects computers with Dridex. Typically, these files demand permission to enable macro commands (thus allowing content/editing).

Once this permission is given, a document starts downloading (and then installing) malicious software. In summary, these documents cannot do any damage unless they are opened and permission to enable macros is granted.

Other examples of files that cyber criminals send to proliferate malware are PDF documents, JavaScript files, executables (.exe files), and archive files such as ZIP and RAR.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Be careful with files that are attached to emails received from suspicious or unknown email addresses. Typically, these emails are irrelevant and disguised as 'important'. The best way to deal with them is to ignore them and leave files and links within them unopened. Download software and files from official websites and use direct download links.

Third party downloaders, unofficial websites, various Peer-to-Peeer networks should not be trusted. Downloading files or programs via these sources might lead to computer infections. Keep installed programs and operating systems up-to-date, however, use implemented functions or tools created by official developers only.

Do not activate installed programs with 'cracking' tools, since this is illegal and they are often designed to distribute malicious programs (infect computers with malware).

Have a reputable anti-virus or anti-spyware suite installed and enabled at all times. If you believe that your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Screenshot of an email that contains a malicious attachment, which is used to spread Dridex:

email and attachment that are used to spread Dridex

Screenshot of another spam email used to spread Dridex malware:

Spam email used to spread Dridex malware - February 21, 2020

Text presented within this email:

Subject: Invoice Due #7300980

Good morning,

Attached is the invoice for the work completed at your property. Payment should be remitted to the invoice below. We appreciate your business.

For security reason the invoice is password protected: 159

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Jess Tiffani RSW, CCAC, ICADC, CEC
Director
Pegasus Recovery Solutions
m: 250.514.1083
f: 250.294.6850
a: 270 - 2950 Douglas St, Victoria BC, V8T 4N4
w: www[.]pegasusrecoverysolutions[.]com
e: Jess.Tiffani@pegasusrecoverysolutions.com

Screenshot of the malicious attachment (Microsoft Word document):

Malicious MS Word document used to spread Dridex malware - February 21, 2020

Update April 22, 2020 - Crooks have recently started yet another spam campaign disguising as UPS delivery company. They send deceptive emails encouraging recipients to open a malicious document which is presented as an invoice. Once opened, the document executes a number of commands in order to inject Dridex malware into the system.

Screenshot of the malicious MS Excel document ("sample20200420-01.xls"):

Dridex malware-distributing malicious MS Excel document

Update April 28, 2020 - Crooks have recently started a Fedex-related email spam campaign to promote Dridex malware.

Screenshot of the aforementioned spam email:

Fedex-related email spam campaign spreading Dridex malware

Text presented within:

Subject: FedEx Billing - Invoice Ready for Payment

You have a FedEx invoice ready for payment.
Your invoice is ready for payment
Dear Customer
Your account has a new invoice(s) from FedEx ready for payment.
Invoice number: Invoice amount:
9-053-76763 180.82

Thank you for your business,
FedEx

Screenshot of the malicious attachment - Microsoft Excel document ("4 224 99898.xls"):

Malicious MS Excel document spreading Dridex trojan

Examples of other MS Excel documents used to spread Dridex malware:

Dridex trojan-spreading MS Excel document - 3867768142337.xls Dridex malware-distributing MS Excel document (2020-06-10) Dridex malware-spreading MS Excel document Malicious MS Excel doc used to inject Dridex malware (2020-10-06) Dridex malware-spreading MS Excel document (2020-10-15) Malicious Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2020-10-21) Amazon-themed malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2020-10-28) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2020-11-19) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2021-01-21) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2021-02-23) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2021-03-04) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2021-03-09) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2021-03-25) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (sample 1 - 2021-05-06) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (sample 2 - 2021-05-06) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (sample 3 - 2021-05-06) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2021-07-07) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2021-07-22) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2021-08-20 - sample 1) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2021-08-20 - sample 2) Malicious MS Excel document used to spread Dridex malware (2021-08-20 - sample 3)

Examples of other invoice/payment/bill-relating spam emails that spread Dridex malware by delivering links that lead to malicious websites/files:

Spam email spreading Dridex malware (sample 1) Spam email spreading Dridex malware (sample 2) Spam email spreading Dridex malware (sample 3) Spam email spreading Dridex malware (sample 4) Spam email spreading Dridex malware (sample 5) Spam email spreading Dridex malware (sample 6) Spam email spreading Dridex malware (sample 7) Spam email spreading Dridex malware (sample 8)

Screenshot of yet another spam campaign used to spread Dridex malware:

Email spam campaign spreading Dridex malware (2020-05-21)

Text presented within:

Subject: Invoice 00058077

We appreciate your prompt attention and payment of this invoice at your earliest convenience.

The invoice is attached.

 Invoice Due Date: 05/20/2020
 Invoice Total Amount: $1,339.00

Best Regards

Billing and Payments 888.433.8686
Sales 1.888.790.3664

Screenshot of the malicious MS Excel attachment ("Invoice_00588844_1037775437942.xlsm") which injects Dridex into the system:

Malicious Microsoft Excel document (Invoice_00588844_1037775437942.xlsm) used to inject Dridex malware into the system

Example of a DHL-themed spam email used to distribute Dridex malware:

DHL-themed spam email used to spread Dridex malware

Text presented within:

Subject: DHL Shipment Successful, Pickup Failure: Waybill 3232603305


PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL

Dear Customer,

Thank you for using DHL

This email contains the following attachments:

1 set of DHL Transport Label and Waybill Document.
1 shipment receipt.
1 customs invoice (only if requested).

What do I print?

A. If  you are sending documents please print all pages of the Transport Label and the Waybill Document. Attach the Transport Label to your shipment and give the Waybill Document to the courier.
B. If you are sending non-documents please attach:

All pages of the Transport Label (provide Waybill Document to the courier separately).
Two copies of the customs document.

If you have a shipment with multiple pieces the attached will include a Transport Label for each piece. Please ensure that all other documentation is attached to piece '1' (listed on the label).

CONFIDENTIALITY REMINDER: This e-mail message, together with any attachments, is for the exclusive and confidential use of the addressee(s) and may contain legally privileged information. Any unauthorized review,use, disclosure or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply -email and destroy all copies of the original message from your end.

Screenshot of a malicious MS Excel document (which injects Dridex into the system) attached to this email:

Malicious Excel document used to inject Dridex malware into the system

Example of yet another spam email used to spread Driex malware via attached MS Excel document:

Spam email used to spread Dridex malware (2020-07-02)

Text presented within:

Subject: Past Due Invoice No. #851344
Good Morning!

We received payment for invoice #921809, however due to a credit, there was a $95.00 overpayment and also there is 1 open invoice #182710 in the amount of $206.00 that we could apply this overage to IF payment has NOT yet been submitted. If it has, we will issue a refund.

Please let me know how you would like to proceed.

Thanks!


Accounting Analyst| Cammi Xylina
Phone: (980) 238-2305
Email: kalyn@theevictionteam.com
Website: www.TheEvictionTeam.com

Screenshot of the attached document:

Malicious MS Excel document (858920.xlsm) distributing Dridex malware

Other malicious MS Word documents used to spread Dridex malware:

Dridex malware-spreading malicious MS Word document Malicious MS Word doc spreading Dridex malware (2020-10-02 - sample 1) Malicious MS Word doc spreading Dridex malware (2020-10-02 - sample 2) Malicious MS Word doc used to spread Dridex malware (2020-11-23) Malicious MS Word doc used to spread Dridex malware (2020-11-24) Malicious MS Word document used to spread Dridex malware (2020-12-16 - sample 1) Malicious MS Word document used to spread Dridex malware (2020-12-16 - sample 2) Malicious MS Word document used to spread Dridex malware (2020-12-16 - sample 3) Malicious MS Word document used to spread Dridex malware (2020-12-30)

Two additional examples of invoice-themed spam emails that spread Dridex malware via attached malicious MS Excel document (the document is identical in both emails):

Example 1:

Spam email used to spread Dridex malware (2020-09-23 - sample 1)

Text presented within:

Subject: Invoice 995151

We appreciate your prompt attention and payment of this invoice at your earliest convenience.

The invoice is attached.

 Invoice Due Date: 09/23/2020
 Invoice Total Amount: $3,778.00

Best Regards

Billing and Payments 888.433.9371
Sales 1.888.790.3779

Example 2:

Spam email used to spread Dridex malware (2020-09-23 - sample 2)

Text presented within:

Subject: Invoice 489368

Thank you very much for your business and continued support.

The invoice is attached.

  Invoice Due Date: 09/23/2020
  Invoice Total Amount: $3,541.00

Best Regards

Billing and Payments 888.433.2671
Sales 1.888.790.4713

Screenshot of the attached MS Excel document:

MS Excel document spreading Dridex malware (2020-09-23)

Another spam email used to spread Dridex malware:

Spam email used to spread Dridex malware

Text presented within:

Subject: Intuit E-Commerce Service

 

To Customer :

Please find your invoice attached.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Your business is much appreciated.


Sincerely,

Accounting

Another invoice-themed spam email used to spread a malicious MS Word document designed to inject Dridex malware:

Invoice-themed spam email used to spread Dridex malware

Text presented within:

Subject: Invoice from Intuit@ (110598)

 

Hello,

Here's your invoice

Intuit@ sent you an invoice for $1,510.00 USD

Due date: November 12, 2020

View and Pay Invoice

Buy now Pay over time.

Screenshot of the attached malicious MS Word document:

Malicious MS Word document used to spread Dridex malware

Yet another spam email used to spread a malicious MS Excel document which injects Dridex malware into the system:

Spam email spreading Dridex malware (2020-12-15)

Text presented within:

Subject: New Invoice(s) for C0243058 are Available to be Viewed

Your new Invoice(s) are available to be viewed.

The Attachments include the following Invoice(s):
Invoice Number    CHR Load Number
6890505519    300428005

Thank you for your business, if there are any issues with your Invoice(s) please contact your 1st Sales Rep


**********************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the sender of the e-mail. The sender of the e-mail accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. (IP)
**********************************************************

Screenshot of the attached MS Excel document:

Malicious MS Excel document spreading Dridex malware (2020-12-15)

Update March 16, 2022 - We have discovered that cybercriminals use Dridex as a tool to distribute ransomware. There are cases where Dridex was used to infect computers with a ransomware variant called Entropy. In those cases, Dridex was present in the systems before the ransomware was launched, which ultimately led to data encryption. We also learned that cybercriminals have performed attacks where Dridex injected remote administration tools.

How to remove malware manually?

Most trojan infections can be removed by running a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. The full manual procedure below is for cases where automatic removal failed, where you want to verify a scan caught everything, or where the threat has multiple persistence points.

Tools you'll need
Combo Cleaner Antivirus 7-days free trial
Recommended primary scanner. VB100 certified. The 7-day free trial is available.
Microsoft Defender Offline Free · built-in
Built into Windows. Boots to a clean environment to catch rootkits.
Process Explorer Free
From Microsoft Sysinternals. Better than Task Manager - shows full paths and signatures.
Autoruns Free
From Microsoft Sysinternals. Lists every place malware can persist on your system.
Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT) Free
Official Microsoft on-demand scanner. Always-current signatures - expires every 10 days.
Phase 1~ 5 min
Contain - limit the damage
1

Disconnect from the network

30 secNo tool needed

Unplug your Ethernet cable and turn off Wi-Fi. If you're on a laptop, the airplane-mode key works fastest.

Why this matters

Many trojans exfiltrate data - saved browser passwords, banking sessions, screenshots - and accept remote commands. Cutting the network stops both immediately. Keep it disconnected until Phase 4.

2

Boot into Safe Mode with Networking

3 min

Safe Mode loads a minimal set of drivers and stops most malware from auto-running. "With Networking" lets you download tools - re-enable Wi-Fi only after you've booted in.

Windows 11

Open Settings → System → Recovery. Click Restart now next to Advanced startup.

Your computer will restart into the "Choose an option" menu. Click Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. After the second reboot, press 5 or F5.

Run Windows 11 in Safe Mode with Networking
Windows 10

Click the Windows logo, hold Shift, click the Power icon and choose Restart. In the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. Press F5.

Run Windows 10 in Safe Mode with Networking - press F5 at the Startup Settings screen
Windows 8

Go to the Start Screen, type Advanced, select Settings → Advanced startup options → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup settings → Restart → F5.

Note: Windows 8 reached end-of-life in January 2023 - running on it puts you at much higher risk of reinfection.

Windows 7

Click Start → Shut Down → Restart → OK. As the system boots, press F8 repeatedly until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, then choose Safe Mode with Networking.

Note: Windows 7 reached end-of-life in January 2020 - running on it puts you at much higher risk of reinfection.

Phase 2~ 15 min
Identify - find what's hiding
3

Inspect running processes with Process Explorer

Tool: Process Explorer5 min

Download Process Explorer from Microsoft Sysinternals. Run it as Administrator. Click Options → Verify Image Signatures and View → Lower Pane View → DLLs.

Sort by "Verified Signer." Anything unsigned running from %AppData%, %LocalAppData%, %Temp%, or %ProgramData% is suspicious. Right-click → Properties to see the full image path. Right-click → "Search Online" to look up unfamiliar process names.

Why not just Task Manager

Task Manager hides full file paths, doesn't show digital signatures, and groups processes in ways that make malware easy to miss. Process Explorer is the same tool Microsoft engineers use.

Process Explorer showing a suspicious unsigned process running from %AppData%
4

Map every persistence point with Autoruns

Tool: Autoruns 14.x10 min

Download Autoruns. Right-click Autoruns.exe and choose Run as administrator - without elevation, Autoruns can't inspect protected registry hives.

In the menu, open Options → Hide Microsoft Entries and Options → Hide Empty Locations, then click Refresh.

Modern trojans don't just live in startup. Walk through these tabs and look for unsigned or unfamiliar entries:

  • Logon - classic Run/RunOnce keys
  • Scheduled Tasks - frequent hiding spot, especially tasks with PowerShell, MSHTA, or rundll32 actions
  • Services - unsigned services in non-Microsoft folders
  • WMI - Event Subscriptions are a stealthy persistence mechanism (MITRE T1546.003)
  • Image Hijacks - Image File Execution Options "Debugger" abuse
  • AppInit - DLLs loaded into every GUI process
  • Browser plug-ins - unsigned add-ons across all installed browsers
Pro tip

Right-click any suspicious entry → "Jump to Image" to see the actual file. Right-click → "Search Online" opens VirusTotal for the file hash. Don't delete yet - just write down the file paths and entry names. We'll remove them after the scans.

Autoruns 14.x with Hide Microsoft Entries enabled showing the Logon and Scheduled Tasks tabs
5

Check the hosts file and DNS settings

3 minBuilt into Windows

Trojans often redirect bank, antivirus, and update domains to attacker-controlled servers by editing the hosts file or DNS settings.

Hosts file: Open Notepad as Administrator and open C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Legitimate entries are commented with #. Any uncommented IP-to-domain mapping is suspicious - especially redirects for microsoft.com, windowsupdate, or your bank.

DNS settings: Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run ipconfig /all. Confirm your DNS servers point to your ISP, your router, or a known public resolver (Cloudflare 1.1.1.1, Google 8.8.8.8). Then open Settings → Network & internet → [your adapter] → DNS server assignment and verify both DNS and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) settings haven't been hijacked.

Why this matters

A clean PC with hijacked DNS is still a compromised PC. You'll think you're at chase.com and you'll be at the attacker's clone.

Phase 3~ 60-90 min
Remove - three scans, one cleanup

No single antivirus catches everything. The order below is intentional: offline scan first (catches rootkits before Windows fully loads), then on-demand scanners on the running system, then manual cleanup of anything they missed.

6

Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Tool: Built into Windows15 min

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. Your computer will restart into a stripped-down environment and scan before the full operating system loads.

Why this comes first

Rootkits and bootkits hide from any scanner running on the same Windows session that's already infected. A pre-boot offline scan sees the disk before the malware can hide itself.

Recommended antivirus
Combo Cleaner

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

Download Combo Cleaner
7

Run Combo Cleaner full system scan

Tool: Combo Cleaner20-40 min

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

Combo Cleaner full scan results showing detected threats
8

Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Tool: Microsoft Safety Scanner15 min

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe), Microsoft's free on-demand tool. 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.

Why a second scan

Different scanning engines catch different threats. Running an additional Microsoft scan after Combo Cleaner is the single most underused verification step in malware removal.

9

Manually remove anything still listed in Autoruns

Tool: Autoruns10 min

Reopen Autoruns. Anything you flagged in Step 4 that's still present hasn't been caught by the automated scans. For each remaining suspicious entry: right-click → Delete in Autoruns (this removes the persistence registration), then navigate to the file path and delete the actual file. Empty the Recycle Bin.

Important

Some malware files reappear after deletion because something else on the system recreates them. If you delete a file and it returns within minutes, you have a remaining persistence point that Autoruns didn't show - usually a service or scheduled task running under SYSTEM. Re-run the scans from Steps 6-8 or proceed to a clean install (see end of guide).

Phase 4~ 15 min
Recover - restore browsers and security
10

Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

5 min

Trojans and adware frequently hijack browsers - change the default search engine, install rogue extensions, or grant themselves notification permissions to keep displaying scam pop-ups even after the malware is gone.

  • Chrome: visit chrome://settings/reset and click "Restore settings to their original defaults." Then visit chrome://settings/content/notifications and remove any unfamiliar sites.
  • Edge: visit edge://settings/reset. Then check edge://settings/content/notifications.
  • Firefox: open about:support and click Refresh Firefox (Firefox uses "Refresh," not "Reset"). Then check Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Notifications.

Review installed extensions in each browser and remove anything you don't recognize, especially extensions you didn't install yourself.

11

Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

10 min

Many trojans disable security software. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all turned on. Tamper Protection prevents malware from disabling Defender silently.

Then run Windows Update (Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates) and update your browsers and applications. The infection vector that let the trojan in originally usually involves outdated software.

Phase 5~ 15 min + 7 days
Verify & secure
12

Change passwords from a clean device

20 min⚠ Critical

If the trojan was an info-stealer (Lumma, RedLine, Vidar, and similar are extremely common), assume every password saved in your browser is compromised. Change them from a different, known-clean device - your phone is fine if it's not infected.

Recommended order:

  1. Primary email first - it's the recovery hub for everything else
  2. Banking and financial accounts
  3. Password manager master password (if you use one)
  4. Social media, shopping, and remaining accounts

Where available, enable phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (passkeys / FIDO2 hardware keys / authenticator apps) - SMS-based MFA is bypassable by sophisticated attackers.

13

Verify the clean and monitor for 7 days

5 min + 1 week monitoring

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to the Startup apps tab - confirm nothing suspicious has reappeared.

Over the next 7 days, watch for symptom recurrence: unexpected high CPU usage, unknown processes returning, browser redirects, or pop-ups. If anything returns, you missed a persistence point and the procedure needs to be repeated - or you may have a deeper compromise that requires a clean install.

Verifying malware removal in the Windows 11 Task Manager Startup apps tab

When to clean install Windows instead

Manual removal isn't always the right answer. Reinstalling Windows from scratch is the only way to be 100% certain when:

  • The malware reappears after every removal attempt
  • A bootkit or UEFI rootkit was detected (this class of threat sits below the operating system and survives a normal Windows reinstall)
  • A confirmed credential-theft trojan ran with administrator privileges (Lumma, RedLine, Vidar) - the system likely has multiple unknown payloads
  • The PC is used for online banking, business email, or anything where partial doubt isn't acceptable

A clean install is a 30-60 minute process: Windows 11 reinstall via Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC → Remove everything → Cloud download. Back up documents to external storage first, scan the backup with Combo Cleaner before restoring it, and reinstall applications fresh - never restore them from a backup of the infected system.

Important: Manual removal requires advanced computer skills. If you're not confident identifying system files from malicious files, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there - that path catches the vast majority of consumer trojans without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

This malware can be removed without formatting the storage device. A removal guide for malware is provided above.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

It depends on the type of malware. Typically, it is used to encrypt files, steal sensitive information, hijack online accounts, steal identities, cause additional computer infections, add computers to botnets.

What is the purpose of Dridex malware?

This piece of malware steals login credentials for banking accounts. It achives that by loggin keystrokes (recoreding keys pressed with the keyboard). Additionally, Dridex can execute remote commands or inject code into a specific program and modify its execution/behavior.

How did Dridex malware infiltrate my computer?

It is known that cybercriminals distribute this malware by sending emails containing malicious attachments. Computers get infected after executing a malicious file downloaded from an email. In other cases, malware is distributed using fake software cracking tools or installers for pirated software, untrustworthy sources for downloading files/software, fake updating tools.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will run a system scan and eliminate malware. It can detect almost all known malware infections. When computers are infected with high-end malware, they must be scanned using a full scan option. High-end malware can hide deep in the system, which means running a quick scan is not enough.

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Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas

Expert security researcher, professional malware analyst

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats.

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