This article will help you to remove malware that is causing the URL:Mal message to be displayed. Follow the removal instructions provided at the end of the article.
URL:Mal is the generic name given to specific threats detected by AVG and Avast anti-virus programs. Your computer somehow has reached a malicious URL domain blocked by Avast. Reaching a malicious URL might be due to having your computer system infected by a Trojan horse, trying to connect to a malicious URL constantly. To remove the actual malware labeled as URL:Mal and all related messages, you should know that it is in your best interest to remove all of those as soon as possible.
Threat Summary
| Name | URL:Mal |
| Type | Trojan Horse, False Positive, Malicious URL |
| Short Description | The URL:Mal is a legitimate Avast notification which shows up when Avast detects a malicious URL domain being accessed. The URL can be loaded due to malware such as a Trojan horse present on your PC. |
| Symptoms | You will see a notification saying “URL: Mal” Malicious URL blocked. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, JavaScript |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss URL:Mal. |
URL:Mal – Detection and Distribution
The URL:Mal can spread in a few ways. Third-party installer setups could have put a Trojan horse on your computer system via bundling. These installations typically arrive with freeware and application packages. Without you knowing, additive content could be installed to your computer, which could even be a JavaScript file that downloads the actual malware. Avoiding such installations is possible if you find Custom or Advanced settings in the install setup.
URL:Mal can also spread if you come across unknown websites through redirects and advertisements which have some sort of scripts in themselves and load them when you visit a site or click on an advert. Pop-ups, pop-unders, as well as banners could have links inside of them that can redirect you. When visiting such websites, especially with an unknown origin, they could inject the malware inside your computer device. That can happen via any browser.
URL:Mal – Technical Data
URL:Mal is the generic name given to specific threats detected by AVG and Avast anti-virus programs. It is also connected to a very similar threat called [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/svchost-exe-urlmal-description-and-removal-manual/”] Svchost.exe URL:Mal that we have written about in the past. Your computer somehow has reached a malicious URL domain blocked by Avast. Reaching a malicious URL might be due to having your computer system infected by a Trojan horse, trying to connect to a malicious URL rather frequently.
URL:Mal’s related processes can be implemented deep inside the Windows Operating System, so some software might detect it and push messages about it, but not be able to completely remove it for some reason. The reason might be that files of the actual threat behind URL:Mal are being used or that anti-malware software is trying to prevent your computer from opening the malicious URL, but not able to find the source of the malware that is pushing the requests to connect to the particular URL domain.
The URL:Mal is not a vastly known detection by anti-virus software, but used mainly by Avast and AVG anti-virus programs as an abbreviation for “URL:Malicious” letting users know that a URL has been blocked because the program has it identified in its database for being malicious.
The malware behind the URL:Mal name might be dropped to systems when the malware authors manage to brute force the login credentials of the targeted servers. A successful attack might push a Trojan horse into a person’s computer.
URL:Mal might be detected if the following Windows file has been modified or tampered with in some malicious way:
- C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe
A Trojan horse that is behind the URL:Mal notification is likely to download some additional components that will aid it to achieve its purpose to full effect. Thus, after it being executed on the system, it may establish a remote connection to a command and control server (the blocked URL, hence the display of the notification) from where all other malicious files are available. There are some essential Windows folders in which the malicious files are usually dropped:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
The following registry key entry might be present on your computer system:
→“HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run”
The entry listed above will make the miner to launch with every restart or boot of your computer device. Below you can see some useful tips that can help you to prevent similar malware to install onto your PC, in the future:
- Run programs inside a sandbox environment
- Install an advanced anti-malware protection
- Update your mostly-used programs and software in general
- Update your OS with security updates
- Install an ad-blocker application
- Be wary around your e-mails and don’t open them unless you know the source
- Disable macros in Microsoft Office Applications
- Disable JavaScript
- Keep your firewall ON
URL:Mal, although a legitimate notification is most definitely caused by the presence of malware on your computer machine. It is your duty to clean it.
Remove URL:Mal Completely
To remove URL:Mal manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal tutorial written down below. In case this manual removal does not get rid of the miner malware completely, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer secure in the future.
Tsetso Mihailov
Tsetso Mihailov is a tech-geek and loves everything that is tech-related, while observing the latest news surrounding technologies. He has worked in IT before, as a system administrator and a computer repair technician. Dealing with malware since his teens, he is determined to spread word about the latest threats revolving around computer security.
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Preparation before removing URL:Mal.
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 URL:Mal with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by URL:Mal 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 URL:Mal 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 URL:Mal 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.
URL:Mal FAQ
What Does URL:Mal Trojan Do?
The URL:Mal 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 URL:Mal, 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 URL:Mal 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 URL:Mal 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 URL:Mal Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this URL:Mal 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 URL:Mal?
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 URL:Mal threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.