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How to remove Nitro Stealer from the infected computer

Also Known As: Nitro information stealer
Type: Trojan
Damage level: Severe

What is Nitro Stealer?

While checking the VirusTotal page for recently submitted samples, we discovered an information stealer called Nitro Stealer. This malware is designed to gather information from a system. It sends obtained information to threat actors. Usually, information stealers stealthily infiltrate computers and remain silent.

Nitro Stealer malware

More about malware like Nitro Stealer

Usually, information stealers can gather keystrokes (record keyboard input), capture screenshots, monitor network activity, and collect other information from infected systems. Threat actors use malware of this type to steal sensitive information (e.g., credit card details, ID card information, login credentials, autofill data, clipboard data).

Cybercriminals use obtained information to steal online accounts (e.g., banking, social networking, email, gaming accounts), identities, make fraudulent purchases/transactions, blackmail victims, and other purposes. Thus, having a computer infected with an information stealer like Nitro Stealer can cause numerous problems, including monetary loss.

Threat Summary:
Name Nitro information stealer
Threat Type Information stealer
Detection Names Avast (FileRepMalware [Misc]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Lazy.223296), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/Spy.Agent.DXF), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/ClipBanker.MR!MTB), Full List (VirusTotal)
Symptoms Information 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, loss of access to personal accounts, monetary loss.
Malware Removal (Windows)

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

Some information stealers are visible as running processes (those processes can be disguised as legitimate Windows processes). Alternatively, they can be configured to be running without visible processes. Moreover, information stealers often use various techniques to avoid antivirus detection.

More examples of information-stealing malware are Luca Stealer, NoMercy Stealer, and YTStealer.

How did Nitro Stealer infiltrate my computer?

Threat actors distribute malware via emails, fake installers for cracked software (and cracking tools), unreliable sources for downloading software, Trojans, and fake updaters. Their emails contain malicious attachments or links. Typically, such emails are disguised as important/urgent/official letters from legitimate companies or other entities.

Examples of untrustworthy sources for downloading software/files are unofficial pages, Peer-to-Peer networks, third-party downloaders, free file hosting sites, etc. Usually, threat actors use MS Office and PDF documents, JavaScript files, executable files, and archive files like ZIP and RAR to trick users into executing malware.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Do not open attachments (or links) sent from suspicious or unknown email addresses, especially when such emails are irrelevant. It is very common for emails of this kind to be used to distribute malware. Also, use official pages and platforms (and direct links) to download files and software. Do not trust other sources.

Keep the operating system and installed programs up to date. Update and activate them properly - use tools provided by the official software developers for that. 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.

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. 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 read more.

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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 Combo Cleaner Antivirus 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:

Malware process running in the Task Manager

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:

manual malware removal step 1Download a program called Autoruns. This program shows auto-start applications, Registry, and file system locations:

Autoruns application appearance

manual malware removal step 2Restart 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.

Run Windows 7 or Windows XP in Safe Mode with Networking

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.

Run Windows 8 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.

Run Windows 10 in Safe Mode with Networking

Video showing how to start Windows 10 in "Safe Mode with Networking":

manual malware removal step 3Extract the downloaded archive and run the Autoruns.exe file.

Extract Autoruns.zip archive and run Autoruns.exe application

manual malware removal step 4In 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.

Refresh Autoruns application results

manual malware removal step 5Check 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".

Delete malware in Autoruns

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.

Search for malware and delete 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 Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

No, it is unnecessary to format the infected storage device to remove this malware. Nitro Stealer can be removed without formatting.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

Having a computer infected with malicious software can lead to identity theft, financial losses, decreased computer performance, further infections, data encryption, and other problems.

What is the purpose of Nitro Stealer?

This malware is used to steal sensitive information. Threat actors may be using it to steal credit card details, usernames, passwords, clipboard data, autofill data, and other information.

How did a malware infiltrate my computer?

Threat actors often use phishing and other social engineering techniques (e.g., emails containing malicious attachments or links, fake system warning messages, P2P networks, unofficial pages for downloading software, fake installers for pirated software, and similar methods to trick users into infecting computers with malware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and remove malware from it (this app can detect almost all known malware from computers). Since high-end malware usually hides deep in the system, it is required to run a full system scan to remove it.

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About the author:

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. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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