How to remove Carbanak malware

What is Carbanak malware

Carbanak malware is a sophisticated piece of malicious software primarily used for financial gain by cybercriminals. It initially surfaced as a tool employed by a group known as the Carbanak gang, but has since been adopted by other hacker organizations like FIN7. This malware operates as a remote access trojan (RAT), allowing attackers to infiltrate targeted systems, often within financial institutions, to monitor activities and manipulate financial records without detection. It spreads predominantly through spear phishing emails that trick victims into downloading infected attachments, masquerading as legitimate communications from trusted sources. Once inside a network, Carbanak can perform a variety of malicious actions, including keylogging, traffic monitoring, and opening backdoors for additional malware. The ultimate goal of Carbanak is often the theft of sensitive information, such as credentials and financial data, leading to significant financial losses. Detecting an infection can be challenging due to its stealthy nature, but symptoms may include unexpected data transfers or unauthorized financial transactions. Effective protection against Carbanak involves implementing robust cybersecurity practices, such as using reliable antivirus software, employing multi-factor authentication, and exercising caution with email attachments and downloads.

How Carbanak malware infected your system

Carbanak malware primarily infiltrates computers through spear phishing emails, where attackers impersonate trusted contacts to deceive victims into downloading malicious attachments. These emails are meticulously crafted, often after attackers have studied the target organization, making them appear legitimate. Once the attachment is opened, the malware is deployed, allowing attackers to gain a foothold in the system. Additionally, Carbanak can be disguised as business-related software on compromised websites, tricking users into downloading it. The malware can also spread through infected files shared via messaging platforms or cloud storage, drive-by downloads from compromised websites, and through peer-to-peer sharing of contaminated files. Once inside the network, Carbanak uses lateral movement to navigate towards critical financial services, aiming to manipulate financial records and extract sensitive data stealthily.

1. Download Carbanak malware Removal Tool
2. Use Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool to remove Carbanak malware
3. Use Autoruns to remove Carbanak malware
4. Files, folders and registry keys of Carbanak malware
5. Other aliases of Carbanak malware
6. How to protect from threats, like Carbanak malware

Remove Carbanak malware manually

Manual removal of Carbanak malware by inexperienced users may become a difficult task because it does not create entries in Add/Remove Programs under Control Panel, does not install browser extensions, and uses random file names. However, there are pre-installed instruments in the Windows system, that allow you to detect and remove malware without using third-party applications. One of them is Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. It comes with Windows Update in Windows 11, 10, 8. 8.1. For older operating system you can download it here: 64-bit version | 32-bit version.

Remove Carbanak malware using Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

1. Type mrt in the search box near Start Menu.
2. Run mrt clicking on found item.
3. Click Next button.
4. Choose one of the scan modes Quick scan, Full scan, Customize scan (Full scan recommended).
5. Click Next button.
6. Click on View detailed results of the scan link to view the scan details.
7. Click Finish button.

Remove Carbanak malware using Autoruns

Carbanak malware often sets up to run at Windows startup as an Autorun entry or Scheduled task.

1. Download Autoruns using this link.
2. Extract the archive and run Autoruns.exe file.
3. In Options menu make sure there are checkboxes near Hide Empty Locations, Hide Microsoft Entries, and Hide Windows Entries.
4. Search for suspicious entries with weird names or running from locations like: C:\{username}\AppData\Roaming.
5. Right-click on suspicious entry and choose Delete. This will prevent the threat to run at startup.
6. Switch to Scheduled Tasks tab and do the same.
7. To remove files themselves, click on suspicious entries and choose Jump to Entry…. Remove files or registry keys found.

Remove files, folder and registry keys of Carbanak malware

Carbanak malware files and folders


{randomname}.exe


Carbanak malware registry keys


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Aliases of Carbanak malware

How to protect from threats, like Carbanak malware, in future

Standard Windows protection or any decent third-party antivirus (Norton, Avast, Kaspersky) should be able to detect and remove Carbanak malware. However, if you got infected with Carbanak malware with existing and updated security software, you may consider changing it. To feel safe and protect your PC from Carbanak malware on all levels (browser, e-mail attachments, Word or Excel scripts, file system) we recommend a leading provider of internet security solutions – BitDefender. Its solutions both for home and business users proved to be one of the most advanced and effective. Choose and get your BitDefender protection via the button below:

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