What Is PyMICROPSIA Trojan
PyMICROPSIA Trojan is a recently discovered computer malware that is spread in active attack campaigns. The infection mechanisms rely mainly on phishing emails. Once installed on a given computer, the built-in engine will lead to many dangerous actions. Read our in-depth analysis of the samples and learn how to remove active infections in this article.
PyMICROPSIA Trojan Summary
| Name | PyMICROPSIA Trojan |
| Type | Trojan |
| Short Description | Aims to steal data from your computer and run different malware actions. |
| Symptoms | Your computer may behave strangely and new files may be dropped in several Windows Directories. |
| Distribution Method | Common infection methods including phishing messages and malware-infected files. |
| Detection Tool |
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PyMICROPSIA Trojan – Virus Infection Methods
A newly detected Trojan called PyMICROPSIA has recently been detected in an active attack campaign. A thorough analysis of its functions is available and due to its impact on the targets, the security researchers have been able to trace its origins to a hacking group called Arid Viper. Over the years it is believed that this collective originates from Israel or another country from the Middle East and it has been responsible for different intrusion attempts against both end-users and company networks. The start of their activity is estimated to be in 2015 when they started distributing computer viruses through email messages, containing a pornographic video. It delivered a Trojan file that started gathering sensitive files, showing that a typical behavior sequence is run.
This new PyMICROPSIA Trojan is delivered using the same infection strategy and keeping the same end-user targets. the hackers prepare email messages that impersonate well-known services, friends, families, and other familiar senders. When they download the attached or linked file, the associated Trojan will be downloaded to their system. While this is the current distribution mechanism there are other possible approaches that can be undertaken by the criminal group in the future. This includes the following approaches:
- Hacker-Controlled Sites — The Trojan virus files can easily be uploaded to different sites that are operated by criminals. They are usually hosted on similar-sounding domain names to well-known and popular services. They can include stolen or appropriated content to make the visitors believe that they are accessing the real and legitimate site. By browsing it and interacting with the content the infection will happen.
- Delivered as an Payload — Other malware infections can install the PyMICROPSIA Trojan as part of their execution.
- Network Infection — Advanced attacks can occur through a network worm-like attack. This is usually done by complex malware that seeks to cause additional damage to the already-compromised machines.
PyMICROPSIA Trojan – Virus Capabilities
The current version of the PyMICROPSIA Trojan is designed to launch a series of actions once the infection has been made to the system. The fact that it is written in Python shows that it can be easily adapted to most of the popular operating systems, including mobile ones. This is a popular programming language that is cross-platform with all of these platforms. The current versions are designed to infect Windows hosts only at this moment, but this can quickly change in upcoming versions. Preparations for this appear to have already been made as the virus code includes calls to POSIX systems.
The current versions of this Trojan have the ability to hijack information from the compromised computers. This encompasses both sensitive user’s data and data about the system itself. It can be used in crimes such as identity and financial theft or blackmail. Any system information that is collected by the malware can be used to generate an identifier — it itself can be used to count the number of affected computers, this ID may also be placed in the ransom notes or lock screen instances.
Information including file listing can be hijacked by the malware, this can be used as part of the surveillance module. The virus has many capabilities in this regard that allow the hacker controllers to effectively take over control of the devices and spy on the victims. The criminals may record the audio via the built-in microphones, watch the webcam, know what keyboard keys are pressed and the mouse movement. All of this can be transmitted to the hackers immediately via the local agent.
As part of the data hijacking and manipulation processes the Trojan is fully capable of deleting, renaming, copying, and moving data. This can cause serious issues when the computer is used by the victims. The stolen files can also be compressed (using the popular RAR and ZIP algorithms) to create smaller-size files before they are transferred to the criminals. The data that is stolen can also come from Microsoft Outlook and other productivity software. This means that information about other entities can also be collected. Application data that is usually considered for collection by such viruses include web browser files — any stored cookies, history, preferences, and even stored credentials can be stolen and abused further by the hackers. The file analysis shows that the virus is capable of also interacting with any removable storage devices or network shares.
The deep infection caused by the PyMICROPSIA Trojan also allow for various system changes to be made, including the following:
- Power Events — At any time the hackers can issue commands to shut down or reboot the computers.
- Commands Execution — All kind of actions can be executed, including ones to individually users-installed applications or services of the operating system.
- Process Manipulation — One of the dangerous consequences of having this infection installed and running on a machine is that it can bypass the deployed security mechanisms. This can include anti-virus programs, intrusion prevention systems, firewalls, virtual machine hosts, and etc.
Depending on the individual hacker configuration this virus may be used to install other threats, a common example is the delivery of file-encrypting ransomware. They will use a strong cipher to process target user’s files and make them inaccessible. While the attacks with the PyMICROPSIA Trojan infection are still not so much prevalent at a worldwide scale, however, if it is launched against more users it can prove to be very dangerous.
PyMICROPSIA Trojan – Virus Removal GUIDE
In order to fully remove this infection from your computer system, recommendations are to try the automatic removal guidelines below. They are particularly created in order to assist you to separate this malware first of all and after that remove, it’s destructive files. If you lack experience in malware removal, the best method and most reliable one according to safety professionals is to use an innovative anti-malware software program. Such will not just immediately get rid of the PyMICROPSIA infection from your computer system, yet will certainly additionally ensure that your computer system remains shielded versus future infections.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Preparation before removing PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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.
PyMICROPSIA Trojan FAQ
What Does PyMICROPSIA Trojan Trojan Do?
The PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.