How to remove Evolution malware from infected devices

What kind of malware is Evolution?

Evolution is a Go-based information-stealing malware that collects sensitive data from a wide range of applications and accounts, including web browsers, VPN clients, and gaming accounts. The malware is used to harvest information that can be misused for unauthorized access or resale. Victims may experience issues such as account hijacking, financial loss, and identity theft.

More about Evolution stealer

Evolution stealer can collect saved Wi-Fi profiles and stored wireless network passwords from the infected system. It also targets Mozilla Firefox data, which may include saved credentials, cookies, browsing history, autofill information, and stored session tokens.

Furthermore, the stealer can extract email account configurations, stored credentials, and mailbox-related information from Mozilla Thunderbird and WhatsApp desktop session data, as well as authentication information that could allow access to active accounts. It also targets Authy-related files and configuration data, potentially multi-factor authentication or session information.

Moreover, Evolution can extract data from Blizzard Battle.net, Epic Games, Minecraft, Riot Games, and Steam accounts. The targeted information likely includes account information, such as login sessions, authentication tokens, account identifiers, and configuration files that may allow attackers to hijack gaming accounts.

It can also harvest personal data from FileZilla, VPN clients, WinSCP, and PuTTY. Additionally, the stealer can collect information from the Windows Registry. The aforementioned capability may be used to extract software settings, installed application information, saved settings, and system configurations.

Victims may lose access to their online accounts and experience other issues. Compromised accounts may be sold or used to spread scams, make unauthorized purchases or transactions, distribute malware, or for other malicious purposes.

Conclusion

Evolution is designed to collect various sensitive information from infected systems, including credentials, session data, application configurations, and gaming platform accounts. Its targeting of browsers, VPN clients, and gaming services suggests a focus on both financial gain and account compromise. If detected, Evolution should be eliminated immediately.

Examples of other stealers are LofyStealer, Needle, and NWHStealer.

How did Evolution infiltrate my computer?

Malware is often delivered through malicious files such as Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, scripts, executables, and compressed archives like ZIP or RAR. Once the user opens the infected file or follows the required instructions, the malware infiltrates the system.

It can be spread through phishing emails with infected attachments or malicious links, as well as through cracked software, pirated programs, or fake activation tools. Also, cybercriminals can take advantage of unpatched vulnerabilities in outdated applications or operating systems to deliver malware.

Infections can also happen through channels like compromised or fake websites, misleading ads, tech support scams, peer-to-peer sharing networks, or even infected removable devices such as USB drives.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Users should avoid interacting with content such as fake pop-ups, misleading advertisements, fraudulent update warnings, on shady websites. Permission requests for notifications from suspicious pages should also be denied. Furthermore, unexpected, irrelevant emails from unknown or suspicious senders should be examined, especially when they include attachments or links.

Also, it is recommended to download software and files only from trusted sources, such as official app stores and verified developer websites. Cracked programs, key generators, and other unlicensed tools should be avoided. Additionally, users should regularly update their operating system and installed applications, and scan their devices with reputable security tools.

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 Evolution?
• STEP 1. Manual removal of Evolution 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 Evolution malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?

No, a full system reset is not always needed. Threats like Evolution stealers can often be eliminated using reputable antivirus or anti-malware tools like Combo Cleaner that detect and remove malicious components from the system.

What are the biggest issues that malware can cause?

System infections can result in serious consequences such as theft of login credentials, exposure of personal information, and financial damage. It may also lead to or additional malicious software. In some cases, it can even cause irreversible data loss.

What is the purpose of Evolution stealer?

It is designed to steal data such as saved login credentials, session tokens, browser data, and account information from various applications, including browsers, gaming platforms, VPN clients, and communication tools.

How did malware infiltrate my computer?

Malware is typically delivered through infected files like documents, PDFs, executables, scripts, or ZIP/RAR archives. It is commonly spread via deceptive emails, cracked software, and fake activation tools, or by exploiting security flaws in outdated systems. In addition, infections may occur through malicious websites, deceptive ads, scams, file-sharing networks, or infected USB drives.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Combo Cleaner can detect and remove most types of malware from an infected system. However, more sophisticated threats may hide deeper within the system and be more difficult to identify. Because of this, performing a complete system scan is advisable.