How to remove Remus from infected devices

What kind of malware is Remus?

Remus is a stealer associated with Lumma. It shares similar capabilities, including the ability to steal browser passwords, cookies, and cryptocurrency wallet information. It is considered to be an evolution of Lumma (not a separate malware). Remus uses new techniques such as EtherHiding and improved anti-analysis checks.

More about Remus

Remus likely evolved from an earlier variant called Tenzor, which appears to be an intermediate stage between Lumma and Remus. Remus and Lumma are very similar - they use many of the same methods and share similar code. Both of them can bypass browser security called Application-Bound Encryption (ABE).

They inject a piece of code into the browser to access (and decrypt) a protected key stored in memory. Remus uses a slightly smaller and more efficient version of the code than Lumma. Remus and Lumma both hide their activity by running a browser in a hidden desktop so the victim does not see any window.

If this method does not work, they create a new hidden browser instead. The only difference is how they name the hidden desktop. They also use another technique called "SYSTEM impersonation" to get higher permissions. Both methods enable them to steal browser data.

Furthermore, Remus and Lumma try to detect if they are running inside a virtual machine. They do this by checking system information for indications of virtualization software such as VMware, VirtualBox, or KVM. If they detect these signs, they can change their behavior or hide their activity.

Also, Remus and Lumma check if they are running without protection (like a crypter) before starting their malicious actions. If they are not protected, they show a warning message to stop operators from spreading or accidentally running the malware.

It is also important to note that Remus and Lumma perform tasks such as memory management, clipboard stealing, and configuration storage in nearly identical steps. However, Remus uses updated techniques for things like data theft, system identification, and communication with its servers.

The biggest change is how it finds its command servers, switching to a blockchain method (EtherHiding) instead of older techniques. It also includes stronger anti-analysis features to avoid detection. Moreover, Remus gets its C2 address from the blockchain, which is hard to remove or block. This makes termination more difficult.

Lastly, Remus checks whether it is running in a sandbox or an analysis environment early. It scans loaded system modules and compares them against known security and sandbox tools. If it detects any of them, it stops running immediately. Since Remus is very similar to the Lumma stealer, it primarily targets data such as usernames, passwords, browser data, cryptocurrency wallets, and other personal data stored on the device.

Conclusion

Remus is a newer variant of the Lumma and shares many of the same techniques and goals. It is used to steal sensitive user data such as passwords, browser information, and cryptocurrency wallets. It also includes improved stealth and anti-detection features to avoid analysis and removal.

Overall, it is an evolution of existing information-stealing malware with stronger evasion methods. Some examples of other information-stealing malware are Torg, VoidStealer, and BoryptGrab.

How did Remus infiltrate my computer?

Usually, cybercriminals deliver malware via deceptive emails with infected attachments or malicious links, technical support scams, pirated programs (or cracking tools and key generators), malicious advertisements, and software vulnerabilities. They also use fake or compromised websites, P2P networks, third-party downloaders, and similar methods.

Malware is often hidden in malicious executable files, documents like MS Office or PDF files, archives, or scripts. It infiltrates when users download and execute it.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Download software only from official websites or trusted app stores, and avoid using cracked programs, pirated tools, or key generators. Keep your operating system and all applications up to date. Be cautious with pop-ups, ads, and permission requests from untrusted websites, and do not allow notifications from suspicious pages.

Also, treat unexpected emails carefully, especially from unknown senders, and avoid opening any links or attachments that look unsafe. 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:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is Remus?
• STEP 1. Manual removal of Remus 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 Remus stealer, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?

This approach can fully eliminate Remus, but it will also delete all data and files stored on the device. Instead of resetting or formatting the system, it is generally recommended to first use a reliable security tool such as Combo Cleaner.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

Malware can collect sensitive data, encrypt files, deliver additional malware, perform other malicious actions. This can lead to unauthorized access to accounts, financial damage, data loss, and identity theft. Overall, it can result in serious security and privacy issues.

What is the purpose of Remus?

The purpose of Remus is to steal sensitive information. It targets data such as browser passwords, cookies, cryptocurrency wallet details, and other personal information. It may also collect information from various applications.

How did Remus infiltrate my computer?

Cybercriminals spread malware through fraudulent emails containing malicious links or files, fake websites, pirated software, deceptive ads, tech support scams, software vulnerabilities, and similar channels. It is often hidden in files like documents, archives, scripts, or executables and activates when the user opens them (or takes additional steps).

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and remove most known threats. However, some advanced malware may be harder to find because it may hide deeply in the system. That is why a full system scan is important to ensure all threats are removed.