How to uninstall MoistStealer from the operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
MoistStealer virus removal guide
What is MoistStealer?
MoistStealer malware is written in C# programming language. It is capable of stealing cookies, autofill data from Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers, system information, FileZilla and Discord data, and taking screenshots of victim's screen. Also, it is capable of functioning as a clipper malware - it can replace cryptocurrency wallet addresses in the victim's clipboard with wallet addresses that belong to cyber criminals. It can be purchased for 499 rubles with buyer's wallets in clipper, or downloaded for free with seller's wallets in clipper.
Since MoistStealer is capable of collecting autofill data saved on Chrome and Firefox browsers, cyber criminals can use it to steal login credentials (like usernames, email addresses, passwords), credit card details, addresses, telephone numbers, names, and/or other autofill form data. Also, MoistStealer can be used to steal FileZilla and Discord data, stolen information may include user's credentials too. Moreover, cyber criminals can use it to take screenshots of the victim's screen, those screenshots may contain some personal, confidential information like online banking details, passwords, messages, important emails, etc. As mentioned in the introduction, MoistStealer functions as clipper malware. Therefore, it can be used as a tool to replace cryptocurrency wallet addresses in the victim's clipboard with wallet addresses that belong to cyber criminals. Therefore, victims may unknowingly send cryptocurrency to malware authors or its buyers instead of people who actually supposed to receive it. Research shows that MoistStealer sends the data it has collected from victims to a Telegram bot that acts as its C2 (Command and Control) server.
| Name | MoistStealer virus |
| Threat Type | Password-stealing virus, banking malware, clipper malware, spyware. |
| Detection Names | AVG (FileRepMalware), BitDefender (DeepScan:Generic.DataStealer.1.E0931CDD), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/PSW.CoinStealer.CC), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-PSW.MSIL.Coins.gen), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Malicious Process Name(s) | Inc.Infrastructur Host Driver (its name may vary) |
| Price On Hacker Forums | 499 rubles with buyer's wallets in clipper, free with seller's wallets in clipper |
| Symptoms | Clippers, stealers 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, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software 'cracks'. |
| Damage | Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, the victim's computer added to a botnet. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
To sum up, installation of MoistStealer could result in serious problems like identity theft, lost access to a variety of personal accounts, monetary loss, problems related to online privacy, browsing safety, and/or other issues. Therefore, if there is a reason to suspect that MoistStealer is installed on the operating system, then it should be eliminated as soon possible. Some examples of other malware that functions similarly to MoistStealer are RedLine, Anubis, Babax and DarkStealer.
How did MoistStealer infiltrate my computer?
It is common that cyber criminals attempt to trick users into installing malware on their computers via malspam campaigns - they send emails that have some malicious file attached to them, or contain a website link designed to download a malicious file. Recipients install malicious software when they open (execute) the attached file or a file downloaded via sent link. In most cases cyber criminals attach some malicious Microsoft Office, PDF document, executable file (like .exe), archive file (like ZIP, RAR), or JavaScript file. Another common method to distribute malware is through unreliable file and/or software download sources. Some examples of sources that can be used for that are free file hosting, freeware download pages, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks like torrent clients, eMule, various third party downloaders. Users install malicious software when they execute some malicious file that was downloaded using unreliable sources. It is worthwhile to mention that in such cases malicious files are disguised as regular, harmless. Furthermore, when users seek to activate licensed software with some unofficial, third party ('cracking) tools, they often infect systems with malicious programs as well. Those tools supposed to illegally activate licensed software, although, they often are designed to install certain malware instead. Fake, third party software updating tools can be designed to infect systems with malware too. Usually they are designed to install software instead of updates, fixes for installed one, or exploit bugs, flaws of outdated software that is installed on user's computer. One more common way to proliferate malicious programs is by using Trojans. There are Trojans that are designed to cause chain infections/install additional malware. However, they can do that only if users install them on computers first.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Files, programs should be downloaded only from trustworthy, official pages and via direct download links. Other channels, tools like third party downloaders (and installers), Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial sites, etc., should not be used neither to download or install any software. Website links, files in irrelevant emails that are sent from unknown, suspicious addresses should not be opened. Installed software has to be updated with tools and/or implemented functions that are provided by its official developers. Third party, unofficial tools can be (and often are) designed to distribute malware. Besides, is not legal to use such tools to activate any licensed software. Additionally, it is advised to scan the operating system for threats regularly, it should be done with a reputable antivirus or anti-spyware suite. If you believe that your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Image used to distribute MoistStealer on hacker forums:
MoistStealer running in Task Manager as "Inc.Infrastructur Host Driver" (its name may vary):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Malwarebytes
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Quick menu:
- What is MoistStealer?
- STEP 1. Manual removal of MoistStealer malware.
- STEP 2. Check if your computer is clean.
How to remove malware manually?
Manual malware removal is a complicated task - usually it is best to allow antivirus or anti-malware programs to do this automatically. To remove this malware we recommend using Malwarebytes for Windows. If you wish to remove malware manually, the first step is to identify the name of the malware that you are trying to remove. Here is an example of a suspicious program running on a user's computer:
If you checked the list of programs running on your computer, for example, using task manager, and identified a program that looks suspicious, you should continue with these steps:
Download a program called Autoruns. This program shows auto-start applications, Registry, and file system locations:
Restart your computer into Safe Mode:
Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, and then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 8 users: Start Windows 8 is Safe Mode with Networking - Go to Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click Advanced startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window, select Advanced startup. Click the "Restart now" button. Your computer will now restart into the "Advanced Startup options menu". Click the "Troubleshoot" button, and then click the "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen, click "Startup settings". Click the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press F5 to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 10 users: Click the Windows logo and select the Power icon. In the opened menu click "Restart" while holding "Shift" button on your keyboard. In the "choose an option" window click on the "Troubleshoot", next select "Advanced options". In the advanced options menu select "Startup Settings" and click on the "Restart" button. In the following window you should click the "F5" button on your keyboard. This will restart your operating system in safe mode with networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 10 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Extract the downloaded archive and run the Autoruns.exe file.
In the Autoruns application, click "Options" at the top and uncheck "Hide Empty Locations" and "Hide Windows Entries" options. After this procedure, click the "Refresh" icon.
Check the list provided by the Autoruns application and locate the malware file that you want to eliminate.
You should write down its full path and name. Note that some malware hides process names under legitimate Windows process names. At this stage, it is very important to avoid removing system files. After you locate the suspicious program you wish to remove, right click your mouse over its name and choose "Delete".
After removing the malware through the Autoruns application (this ensures that the malware will not run automatically on the next system startup), you should search for the malware name on your computer. Be sure to enable hidden files and folders before proceeding. If you find the filename of the malware, be sure to remove it.
Reboot your computer in normal mode. Following these steps should remove any malware from your computer. Note that manual threat removal requires advanced computer skills. If you do not have these skills, leave malware removal to antivirus and anti-malware programs. These steps might not work with advanced malware infections. As always it is best to prevent infection than try to remove malware later. To keep your computer safe, install the latest operating system updates and use antivirus software.
To be sure your computer is free of malware infections, we recommend scanning it with Malwarebytes for Windows.
Outstanding!
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