A new type of infostealing Trojan is reported to aim at the cryptocurrency BitCoin, replacing It’s addresses with malicious ones. The Trojan creates multiple files via obfuscated executables, and it aims to stay concealed for as long as possible on the user PC. Furthermore, Coinbitclip uses multiple third-party BitCoin addresses and may use a different one for every infection. Furthermore, the Trojan most likely has something to do with the notorious game Hearthstone, resembling It’s executables. All users who actively use bitcoins are strongly advised to use an advanced anti-malware protection or use another computer for their financial transactions.
Coinbitclip Trojan – How Does It Spread
An effective way for such type of trojans to spread is via malicious web links posted online. In the situation discovered, by Symantec researchers the game Hearthstone is copied, which means that it may target users via various third-party websites that are Blizzard or Hearthstone related and may insert the trojan via injecting a malicious code on the victim’s computer.
There may be another mean of targeting users on a massive scale. The hackers may send out massively spam emails to users that have registered on a Hearthstone related website. The mails may look like they come from Blizzard themselves and the following messages may be present in them, for example:
- “Click here to restore your password.”
- “Your account has been suspended. Click here for more information.”
- “Incoming files regarding Hearthstone.”
The mail messages might also contain an archived file as an attachment that may have the obfuscated payload of the malware.
Coinbitclip Trojan – What Does It Do?
One way or another, after it has been executed, according to Symantec researchers, the Trojan may create the following files:
- %AppData%\Blizzard\Hearthstone.exe
- %User’s Profile%\Application Data\hearthstone\updater.exe
Furthermore, the cyber-threat may create a registry entry for the Hearthstone.exe file to run every time your Windows starts. It is located in the following Windows Registry key:
- <“HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\”
After setting up nice and comfy on your PC, the Trojan begins to automatically look for any BitCoin addresses that are copied by the user. What the Trojan does is it uses a custom database of many third-party BitCoin addresses to replace them with the currently copied address immediately after detection. What is more, the cyber-threat is smart – it uses the BitCoin address in its database closest to the actual one that has been copied to the clipboard.
This is most likely done with the one and only purpose to steal money when users convert money in bitcoins. The malware may work extremely well with ransomware threats such as TeslaCrypt 3.0 which persuade and scare users to pay for the decryption of their files in BitCoins.
Remove Coinbitclip Trojan from Your PC
Since this cyber-threat may create registry entries on your computer and may use an updater to stay hidden and change the location of the malicious files, it is strongly advisable to methodologically remove this Trojan. To do this, follow the after mentioned instructions.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Preparation before removing Coinbitclip Trojan.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
- Scan for Malware
- Fix Registries
- Remove Virus Files
Step 1: Scan for Coinbitclip Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Coinbitclip Trojan on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Coinbitclip Trojan there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Step 3: Find virus files created by Coinbitclip Trojan on your PC.
1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.
2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Coinbitclip Trojan FAQ
What Does Coinbitclip Trojan Trojan Do?
The Coinbitclip Trojan Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.
Can Trojans Steal Passwords?
Yes, Trojans, like Coinbitclip Trojan, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.
Can Coinbitclip Trojan Trojan Hide Itself?
Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.
Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?
Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind that there are more sophisticated Trojans that leave backdoors and reinfect even after a factory reset.
Can Coinbitclip Trojan Trojan Infect WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.
Can Trojans Be Deleted?
Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.
Can Trojans Steal Files?
Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.
Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?
Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.
Can Trojans Infect USB?
Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.
About the Coinbitclip Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Coinbitclip Trojan how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.
How did we conduct the research on Coinbitclip Trojan?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)
Furthermore, the research behind the Coinbitclip Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.