How to eliminate InvisibleFerret from infected systems
TrojanAlso Known As: InvisibleFerret backdoor
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What kind of malware is InvisibleFerret?
InvisibleFerret is a Python-based backdoor malware associated with North Korean threat actors. Cybercriminals use it mainly for data theft and the injection of other tools for additional control. Victims of InvisibleFerret can experience issues like monetary loss, identity theft, and additional infections.
More about InvisibleFerret
InvisibleFerret starts by gathering geolocation and system details, such as the OS version, hostname, and username. It then generates a unique ID for the infected system. After that, the malware organizes its targets into five lists, helping it identify what data to steal and what to ignore.
These lists include file types, extensions, and directories that should be bypassed while focusing on valuable data to exfiltrate. Furthermore, InvisibleFerret lets attackers send commands to the infected system, execute them remotely, and download and run additional payloads.
It is known that InvisibleFerret can download and run AnyDesk, a legitimate remote administration tool, on infected systems to give attackers more control. Furthermore, it targets browser data from various browsers (such as Brave, Chrome, Chromium, Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi), including profiles, cookies, and credentials.
Additionally, it focuses on extracting data from crypto wallets (Metamask), authentication apps (Google Authenticator), and password managers (1Password). Other capabilities include using libraries to monitor clipboard activity, capture keystrokes, and track mouse movements.
With the information stolen by InvisibleFerret, cybercriminals can access personal accounts, including email, social media, and financial services, by compromising login credentials and other data. They can also steal funds from cryptocurrency wallets like Metamask and access sensitive data in password managers.
Additionally, cybercriminals can monitor clipboard activity to capture banking or payment details, passwords (and other sensitive information), inject more malicious payloads, and perform other malicious activities.
| Name | InvisibleFerret backdoor |
| Threat Type | Information Stealer |
| Detection Names | Avast (Python:Nukesped-B [Bd]), Combo Cleaner (Trojan.Generic.36874309), ESET-NOD32 (Python/DeceptiveDevelopment.B), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan.Python.Agent.gen), Microsoft (Backdoor:Python/InvisibleFerret.A!dha), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Payload | AnyDesk (a legitimate tool) and possibly other, including malicious tools |
| Symptoms | Stealers can be 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 | Social engineering, infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements, deceptive websites. |
| Damage | Stolen passwords and banking information, identity theft, monetary loss, additional infections. |
| 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. |
Possible damage
InvisibleFerret is a dangerous malware capable of stealing sensitive data from browsers, password managers, and cryptocurrency wallets. It provides attackers with remote control over infected systems and enables ongoing exploitation by executing commands and downloading additional malicious tools. It can cause issues like monetary loss, identity theft, account takeover, data loss, and more.
How did InvisibleFerret infiltrate my computer?
Cybercriminals use fake job interviews to target developers in the tech, finance, and cryptocurrency sectors. They stage fake interviews where the victim is tricked into downloading malicious files. These files can appear as coding challenges or video call software.
One of the malicious programs used in this attack is BeaverTail, a JavaScript-based malware. Once BeaverTail infiltrates systems, it deploys InvisibleFerret, which carries out data theft and other malicious actions.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Always be cautious when downloading files or software. Use official websites or app stores for downloads instead of unknown or untrusted sources. Avoid clicking email links or opening attachments in unexpected, irrelevant emails from suspicious addresses. Regularly update your operating system, software, and antivirus programs to protect against potential vulnerabilities.
Do not trust advertisements, pop-ups, and similar content on dubious web pages. Lastly, stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices. 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.
Update May 26, 2026 - Researchers report that the group behind InvisibleFerret (tracked as Void Dokkaebi, also known as Famous Chollima) has changed how the malware is packaged to evade security tools. InvisibleFerret is no longer delivered as plain Python scripts but as compiled binary files (.pyd on Windows, .so on macOS), which means detection rules built for Python scripts may miss it.
The companion BeaverTail loader has also been expanded with its own stealer and backdoor features. The updated InvisibleFerret now goes after additional cryptocurrency wallets beyond MetaMask, including Coinbase Wallet and Phantom, and installs trojanized wallet extensions in Chrome and Brave. On macOS, attackers downgrade Chrome to an older version to bypass modern extension security controls. (source: trendmicro.com).
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.
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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 InvisibleFerret malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?
Formatting your storage device will remove InvisibleFerret malware. However, it will also erase all your data. Therefore, it is advisable to run a system scan using a reliable security tool to see if it can detect and eliminate the malware.
What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?
Malware can cause identity theft and financial loss, slow down your computer, steal sensitive data, and lead to further infections.
What is the purpose of InvisibleFerret?
InvisibleFerret targets data such as browser profiles, cookies, credentials, and browsing history. Also, it focuses on extracting information from password managers, cryptocurrency wallets, and multi-factor authentication apps. Moreover, it can deploy additional tools (e.g., AnyDesk).
How did InvisibleFerret infiltrate my computer?
InvisibleFerret likely infiltrated your computer through a malicious file disguised as part of a fake job interview. It could be delivered as a coding challenge, video call software, or in other seemingly harmless way. Threat actors probably used email, a deceptive website, or a similar channel to deliver InvisibleFerret.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and remove nearly all known malware infections. However, advanced malware often hides deeply within the system, so it is essential to run a full system scan to ensure complete removal.
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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.
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