How to remove Clipboard Hijacker

What is Clipboard Hijacker

Clipboard Hijacker is a type of malicious software designed by cybercriminals to intercept and manipulate clipboard data on a victim’s computer. Primarily targeting cryptocurrency users, this malware replaces legitimate wallet addresses copied to the clipboard with addresses belonging to the attackers, thereby diverting funds during transactions. Such malware operates stealthily, often leaving no visible symptoms, which makes it difficult for users to detect its presence. Clipboard hijackers can be distributed through various means, including spam emails with malicious attachments, deceptive online advertisements, and software cracks. Once installed, they can lead to significant financial losses, particularly in the form of stolen cryptocurrency, and may also facilitate identity theft and other forms of data breach. To mitigate the risk of infection, users should employ robust antivirus solutions, keep their software up to date, and exercise caution when handling unsolicited emails and downloads. Regularly double-checking the accuracy of clipboard data before finalizing cryptocurrency transactions is also advisable to prevent unintentional transfers to malicious accounts.

How Clipboard Hijacker infected your system

Clipboard Hijacker malware typically infiltrates computers through deceptive methods such as spam email campaigns, malicious downloads, and software cracks. Cybercriminals often disguise their emails to appear legitimate, enticing users to open attachments or click on malicious links, which then execute the malware. This malware can also be bundled with seemingly harmless software downloads from untrustworthy sources or peer-to-peer networks. Once executed, the malware stealthily installs itself on the system, embedding code that monitors clipboard activity to facilitate fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions. Users unknowingly aid in the infection process by interacting with these deceptive elements, highlighting the importance of caution and the need for reliable security measures.

Steps to Avoid Infection

• Do not open email attachments or click on links from unknown or suspicious senders.
• Download software only from official or trusted sources.
• Use a reliable antivirus program and keep it updated to detect and block malware.
• Regularly update your operating system and installed software to patch vulnerabilities.
• Double-check cryptocurrency wallet addresses before completing transactions.
• Consider using a hardware wallet or QR code scanning for cryptocurrency transactions to avoid clipboard tampering.

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

Remove Clipboard Hijacker manually

Manual removal of Clipboard Hijacker 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 systems, you can download it here: 64-bit version | 32-bit version.

Remove Clipboard Hijacker 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 Clipboard Hijacker using Autoruns

Clipboard Hijacker 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.

Additional Recovery Steps

• After removing the malware, change your cryptocurrency wallet passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if not already enabled.
• Monitor cryptocurrency transactions and other financial accounts for any unusual activity.
• Consider using a clipboard monitoring tool to alert you to unauthorized clipboard changes.

How to protect from threats, like Clipboard Hijacker, in future

Standard Windows protection or any decent third-party antivirus (Norton, Avast, Kaspersky) should be able to detect and remove Clipboard Hijacker. However, if you got infected with Clipboard Hijacker with existing and updated security software, you may consider changing it. To feel safe and protect your PC from Clipboard Hijacker 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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