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What kind of malware is CryptoClippy?
CryptoClippy is malware that operates as a cryptocurrency clipper. The primary function of this malicious software is to monitor the victim's clipboard and to recognize instances where the victim copies a cryptocurrency wallet address. Once identified, the malware replaces the copied wallet address with the attacker's.
More about cryptocurrency clippers
A cryptocurrency clipper is a malicious software designed to steal cryptocurrency from unsuspecting victims. The malware operates by monitoring the victim's clipboard, which is the temporary storage area for copied or cut data, such as a cryptocurrency wallet address.
When the malware detects that a victim has copied a cryptocurrency wallet address, it replaces the legitimate address with that of the attacker, which redirects the cryptocurrency payments to the attacker's wallet instead. The victim may be unaware of the malicious activity until it is too late and the funds have already been stolen.
More about CryptoClippy
In addition to its primary function as a cryptocurrency clipper, CryptoClippy possesses several other capabilities that assist threat actors in their efforts to steal cryptocurrency. One of these capabilities is the ability to establish a backdoor through Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) by executing an RC4-encrypted PowerShell script.
CryptoClippy has functionality related to targeting Ethereum and bitcoin cryptocurrency wallets. There is knowledge that the cybercriminals behind CryptoClippy concentrate their efforts on Portuguese-speaking users.
| Name | CryptoClippy cryptocurrency clipper |
| Threat Type | Cryptocurrency clipper |
| Detection Names | Avast (Win64:HacktoolX-gen [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Application.Generic.3366926), Emsisoft (Application.Generic.3366926 (B)), Kaspersky (HackTool.Win64.Knotweed.bs), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.A!ml), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Pasted cryptocurrency wallet does not belong to the intended recipient. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive websites offering to download a fake WhatsApp application. |
| Damage | Stolen crypto funds. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) |
To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. Download Combo CleanerTo 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. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, CryptoClippy is a hazardous malware that endangers both individuals and organizations. Its primary objective is to steal cryptocurrency by replacing genuine wallet addresses with those of the attacker. Therefore, it is essential to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures, such as using trusted antivirus software, to safeguard against such threats.
Examples of other clippers are Laplas, Paradies, and Keona.
How did CryptoClippy infiltrate my computer?
Threat actors use a combination of Google Ads and traffic distribution systems (TDS) to redirect unsuspecting users to fake domains that impersonate the legitimate WhatsApp Web application, as a means of delivering the CryptoClippy malware to their computer
The process of CryptoClippy infection initiates with SEO poisoning. When a user searches for "WhatsApp Web," the search results direct them to a domain controlled by the attacker. Subsequently, the victim is prompted to download a .zip file, which contains a .lnk file consisting of malicious scripts.
These scripts execute a series of actions that ultimately result in the installation of the clipper malware.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Always keep your operating system and software up to date. Use a reliable antivirus program and make sure it is set to scan your system regularly. Be careful when opening email attachments or clicking links in unsolicited emails from unknown addresses.
Download software from reliable sources such as official websites and legitimate stores. Avoid downloading files and programs from other sources and clicking ads and links on shady pages. 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.
Fake website distributing CryptoClippy (fake WhatsApp application):
The LNK file with the target field containing the command to download/execute CryptoClippy (source: Unit 42 Blog):
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.
Disconnect from the network
Unplug your Ethernet cable and turn off Wi-Fi. If you're on a laptop, the airplane-mode key works fastest.
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.
Boot into Safe Mode with Networking
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.
Open . Click Restart now next to Advanced startup.
Your computer will restart into the "Choose an option" menu. Click . After the second reboot, press 5 or F5.
Click the Windows logo, hold Shift, click the Power icon and choose Restart. In the Choose an option screen, click . Press F5.
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.
Inspect running processes with Process Explorer
Download Process Explorer from Microsoft Sysinternals. Run it as Administrator. Click and .
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.
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.
Map every persistence point with Autoruns
Download Autoruns. Right-click Autoruns.exe and choose Run as administrator - without elevation, Autoruns can't inspect protected registry hives.
In the menu, open and , 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
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.
Check the hosts file and DNS settings
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 and verify both DNS and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) settings haven't been hijacked.
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.
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.
Run Microsoft Defender Offline
Reboot to normal Windows. Open . 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.
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.
VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.
Download Combo CleanerRun Combo Cleaner full system scan
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.
Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan
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.
Different scanning engines catch different threats. Running an additional Microsoft scan after Combo Cleaner is the single most underused verification step in malware removal.
Manually remove anything still listed in Autoruns
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.
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).
Reset browsers and clear notification permissions
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/resetand click "Restore settings to their original defaults." Then visitchrome://settings/content/notificationsand remove any unfamiliar sites. - Edge: visit
edge://settings/reset. Then checkedge://settings/content/notifications. - Firefox: open
about:supportand 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.
Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything
Many trojans disable security software. Open 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 () and update your browsers and applications. The infection vector that let the trojan in originally usually involves outdated software.
Change passwords from a clean device
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:
- Primary email first - it's the recovery hub for everything else
- Banking and financial accounts
- Password manager master password (if you use one)
- 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.
Verify the clean and monitor for 7 days
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.
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 . 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 CryptoClippy malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
No, it is unnecessary to take extreme measures such as formatting the storage device to eliminate malware such as CryptoClippy. It can be removed using other methods (using antivirus software or manually).
What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
Malware can cause issues such as identity theft and financial and data loss, system crashes, loss of productivity, attacks on other systems, loss of personal accounts, and more.
What is the purpose of CryptoClippy malware?
CryptoClippy malware is designed to steal cryptocurrency by monitoring the victim's clipboard and replacing authentic cryptocurrency wallet addresses with the attacker's wallet addresses.
How did CryptoClippy malware infiltrate my computer?
CryptoClippy malware infiltrates a victim's computer through SEO poisoning and traffic redirection from fake domains that impersonate the legitimate WhatsApp Web application. Once on the malicious website, victims are prompted to download a .zip file that contains a .lnk file, which is composed of malicious scripts. These scripts set off a chain of events that installs the CryptoClippy malware.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Combo Cleaner can detect and remove almost all known malware infections, but it is important to note that some high-end malware can hide deep in the system. Therefore, it is recommended to run a full system scan to ensure complete detection and removal of any malware present on the system.
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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.
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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DonatePCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT.
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