How to remove Shadowpad

What is Shadowpad

Shadowpad is a sophisticated modular malware that has been actively used since 2017, primarily associated with cyberespionage groups originating from China. This malware is notorious for its ability to cause chain infections by downloading and installing additional malicious programs on compromised systems. Its modular design allows it to expand its functionalities through plug-ins, including capabilities for keylogging, screenshot capturing, and data exfiltration. Shadowpad typically infiltrates systems using techniques like DLL sideloading, leveraging legitimate applications to execute its harmful payload covertly. Over time, it has evolved with enhanced code obfuscation and anti-debugging tactics, making it more challenging to detect and analyze. Often entering systems with administrative privileges, this malware has been involved in significant attacks globally, particularly targeting sectors such as manufacturing. The presence of Shadowpad on a system can lead to severe consequences, including data theft, financial loss, and identity theft, underscoring the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.

How Shadowpad infected your system

Shadowpad malware, a sophisticated and modular threat, infiltrates computers primarily through methods like DLL sideloading and exploiting weak network security. It often leverages legitimate applications to execute its payload, exploiting the Windows DLL search order mechanism to hide its presence. Cybercriminals distribute Shadowpad using phishing tactics, malicious email attachments, and drive-by downloads that trick users into executing the malware. Once inside a system, Shadowpad operates with admin privileges, which it gains through exploited vulnerabilities, enabling it to download additional malicious components and cause chain infections. Furthermore, it can spread through networks by brute-forcing credentials of poorly secured VPNs or bypassing multi-factor authentication mechanisms. The stealthy nature of Shadowpad, combined with its anti-debugging capabilities, makes detection difficult while it silently gathers information and propagates further infections.

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

Remove Shadowpad manually

Manual removal of Shadowpad 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 Shadowpad 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 Shadowpad using Autoruns

Shadowpad 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 Shadowpad

Shadowpad files and folders


{randomname}.exe


Shadowpad registry keys


no information


Aliases of Shadowpad

How to protect from threats, like Shadowpad, in future

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