How to remove ArrowRAT malware?

What kind of malware is ArrowRAT?

ArrowRAT is the name of a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) that allows threat actors to perform various malicious activities on infected/accessed computers. ArrowRAT is offered as Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS). Its creators offer three subscription plans: monthly ($100), three months ($300), and lifetime ($400).

More about ArrowRAT?

ArrowRAT includes a Hidden Virtual Network Computing (HVNC) module, which enables attackers to launch a hidden virtual desktop on infected computers with minimal computing skills. Threat actors can use ArrowRAT to access multiple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, and Edge) and email clients (Outlook, Thunderbird, and Foxmail).

Cybercriminals can obtain saved passwords, browsing history, and cookies from web browsers and clone profiles. Also, ArrowRAT can recover passwords from browsers such as 360, Amigo, Chromium, Comodo and Comodo Dragon, Epic Privacy Browser, Kometa, Opera, Orbitum, Torch, Vivaldi, and a couple of other browsers.

Additionally, ArrowRAT can obtain system information, log keystrokes, hide files and folders, manage files and startup items, enable webcam and microphone, run CMD commands, edit Registry, exploit UAC, and kill processes running in the Task Manager.

The keylogging feature allows the attackers to record keyboard input (all data typed with a keyboard). Typically, threat actors use this feature to steal passwords, credit card details, ID card information, and other sensitive information.

Threat Summary:

Name	ArrowRAT Remote Access Trojan
Threat Type	Remote Administration Trojan (RAT)
Detection Names	Avast (Win32:DropperX-gen [Drp]), Combo Cleaner (Trojan.GenericKD.61425599), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/TrojanDownloader.Agent.NBX), Kaspersky (HEUR:Backdoor.MSIL.Remcos.gen), Microsoft (Trojan:MSIL/AgentTesla.FYSM), Full List (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Most RATs 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, monetary loss.
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 read more.

ArrowRAT in general

ArrowRAT includes features that allow cybercriminals to steal sensitive information and perform various actions on infected computers. Having a computer infected with ArrowRAT may cause problems such as identity theft, monetary loss, loss of access to various online accounts, additional infections, and more.

Examples of other RATs are HyperBro, RokRAT, and Trochilus.

How did ArrowRAT infiltrate my computer?

Typically, cybercriminals send emails containing malicious links or attachments, use fake installers for pirated software (or cracking tools), various untrustworthy sources for downloading software, or fake updaters to trick users into infecting computers.

In all cases, threat actors aim to trick users into executing malware by themselves. Typically, they use malicious MS Office, PDF documents, JavaScript files, executables, ISO files, ZIP, RAR, or other files to distribute malware.

Examples of untrustworthy sources used by threat actors to trick users into downloading malware are P2P networks, unofficial (or compromised) pages, third-party downloaders, free file hosting websites, etc.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Always use official pages and direct links to download software (and files). Do not trust other sources (examples are mentioned in the previous paragraph). Update and activate the installed software properly: achieve it using features provided/created by the official software developers.

Keep your computer and installed programs updated. Do not open links or attachments/files presented in suspicious emails (for instance, irrelevant emails sent by unknown or random people). 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.

Website promoting ArrowRAT:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is ArrowRAT?
• STEP 1. Manual removal of ArrowRAT 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 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:

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 Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

No, malware like ArrowRAT can be eliminated without formatting the storage device.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

It can cause data and monetary loss, identity theft, loss of online accounts, high CPU and GPU usage, and other issues.

What is the purpose of ArrowRAT?

ArrowRAT is malware that allows cybercriminals to remotely access a computer and perform malicious activities. For example, steal passwords and other data saved on multiple web browsers, access and manage files, edit Registry, execute commands via Command Prompt, access webcam, microphone, log keystrokes, etc.

How did a malware infiltrate my computer?

Typically, malware is distributed using various phishing and other social engineering techniques (e.g., emails containing malicious links or files, fake system warning messages, etc.). Also, threat actors use drive-by downloads, P2P networks, unofficial software download websites, fake installers for pirated software, and other ways to distribute malware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Combo Cleaner will remove malware from the operating system (it can detect almost all known malware). It is important to run a full system scan to eliminate high-end malware since malware of this kind usually hides deep in the system.

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