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How to eliminate Tweaks stealer from infected computers

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

What kind of malware is Tweaks?

Tweaks (also known as Tweaker) is an information stealer masquerading as a tool designed to enhance frames per second (FPS) for Roblox users that steals data in the background without the user’s knowledge. After obtaining sensitive information, the stolen data is sent to a server controlled by the attacker through a Discord webhook.

Tweaks malware

More about Tweaks

One of its primary functions is to pilfer users' Wi-Fi profiles and passwords, compromising their network security and potentially granting unauthorized access to their home or business networks. With access to this information, attackers could carry out further malicious activities, such as intercepting internet traffic or launching targeted attacks against other devices on the network.

Furthermore, Tweaks can gather unique identifiers like UUIDs and usernames, allowing attackers to build detailed profiles of their victims and potentially perpetrate identity theft or fraud. Coupled with user location data, obtained surreptitiously by the malware, this poses a severe threat to personal privacy.

Additionally, Tweaks is capable of harvesting IP addresses and timestamps, providing attackers with insights into users' online activities and habits. This data could be leveraged for targeted phishing campaigns or other cyberattacks, exploiting vulnerabilities in users' online behavior.

Moreover, the malware collects system information, including hardware specifications and software configurations, which could be used to identify potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the victim's system.

One particularly concerning aspect of Tweaks is its ability to target users of the popular online gaming platform Roblox. By stealing Roblox IDs and in-game currency information, the malware jeopardizes not only users' gaming experiences but also their financial security.

Attackers could exploit this information to compromise users' gaming accounts, steal virtual currency, or carry out fraudulent transactions, posing a significant risk to both individuals and the broader Roblox community.

Threat Summary:
Name Tweaker information stealer
Threat Type Trojan, password-stealing virus, banking malware, spyware.
Detection Names Avast (Win32:Malware-gen), Combo Cleaner (Trojan.GenericKD.71355196), Emsisoft (Trojan.GenericKD.71355196 (B)), Kaspersky (Trojan.BAT.Agent.cek), Microsoft (Trojan:Win32/CryptInject!MSR), Full List (VirusTotal)
Symptoms 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 YouTube (video descriptions), Discord, infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, social engineering, software 'cracks'.
Damage Stolen passwords, identity theft, monetary loss, compromised Roblox accounts, and more.
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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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.

Conclusion

To sum up, Tweaks malware presents a serious danger by extracting a broad range of sensitive data from compromised systems. It not only compromises network security and personal privacy but also targets users of popular online gaming platforms like Roblox. To combat the threat posed by Tweaks and similar malware, it is crucial for users to stay alert for any signs of suspicious activity.

More examples of information stealers are Planet Stealer, TimbreStealer, and XSSLite Stealer.

How did Tweaks infiltrate my computer?

Cybercriminals are leveraging platforms like YouTube and Discord to disseminate Tweaks malware among Roblox users. They cloak malicious files as Frames Per Second (FPS) optimization packages, tricking users into inadvertently installing the malware.

These malicious activities are orchestrated through YouTube tutorials promising FPS optimization tips for Roblox players. In these videos, users are encouraged to turn off antivirus software to install what appears to be a harmless optimizer. However, this software is a vehicle for delivering malware.

The video descriptions contain links to Discord groups controlled by attackers, where users can obtain free and paid malware versions. Once installed, the malware poses as a legitimate FPS optimization tool, misleading users into thinking it is working as intended.

However, behind the scenes, it quietly pilfers user data and transmits it to an attacker-controlled server via Discord webhooks. Moreover, an advanced variant sold on Discord further obscures its malicious nature by bundling the executable file into a password-protected ZIP archive, heightening the difficulty of detection and mitigation efforts.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Avoid clicking on suspicious links (or ads) or downloading files from unknown sources, particularly those received via email or found on dubious websites. Keep your operating system and all software up to date with the latest security patches and updates, as vulnerabilities in outdated software can be exploited by malware.

Install reputable antivirus software and perform regular scans to detect and remove any potential threats. Be cautious when downloading software or files, and only use official sources or trusted platforms to obtain downloads. Never download pirated software or tools intended to bypass software activation.

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.

YouTube channel promoting links (in the video description section) leading to the download of Tweaks stealer:

Tweaks stealer YouTube video description promoting the malware

The interface of Tweaks:

Tweaks stealer admin panel that users see

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 Tweaks malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?

Formatting your storage device is a drastic step and may not be necessary to remove the Tweaks malware. Try running a reputable antivirus or antimalware program first to scan and remove the malware from your system.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

Malware can cause significant damage to computer systems, including theft of sensitive information such as passwords and financial data, system functionality disruption, and network security compromise. Additionally, malware can lead to financial losses through fraudulent transactions, identity theft, and extortion schemes.

What is the purpose of Tweaks malware?

The purpose of Tweaks malware is to steal sensitive information from infected systems, including Wi-Fi profiles and passwords, unique identifiers, user location, IP addresses, system information, Roblox IDs, and in-game currency information.

How did Tweaks infiltrate my computer?

Tweaks malware likely infiltrated your computer through deceptive online tactics, such as disguised downloads or malicious links, often distributed through platforms like YouTube and Discord.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Certainly, Combo Cleaner can detect and eradicate nearly all known malware. A full system scan is essential to thoroughly address any potential threats since sophisticated malware often conceals itself deeply within the system.

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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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