What is Autorun.inf Trojan?
Autorun.inf Trojan is a malicious computer program disguised as an innocent Autorun.inf file. It is designed to open malicious code on the infected computer, either via a script or an executable file. This malware can be used to steal passwords, personal data and other confidential information, as well as damage the system or even cause it to crash.
Read this article to learn more on how to identify if Autorun.inf is a virus and how to clean your computer completely if it is infected.
Autorun.inf Trojan Summary
| Name | Autorun.inf |
| Type | Trojan Horse |
| Brief Description | Aims to perform mining activities for BitCoin and spyware activities as well . |
| Symptoms | Your computer could become very slow and even freeze from time to time. |
| Distribution Technique | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may promote it. |
| Detection Tool |
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Autorun.inf Trojan – Why Do I See It?
Autorun.inf Trojans are malicious files that can be used to distribute malicious software onto a computer. They are commonly spread through USB devices and other removable media. When the infected file is opened, the malicious code is executed and can install malware, steal data, or take control of the computer. It is important to be aware of these threats and take steps to protect your computer from them.
Autorun.inf Virus – What Does It Do?
The Autorun.inf virus is a type of Trojan Horse virus that uses the Autorun.inf file to automatically execute malicious code as soon as an infected drive or disk is accessed. This can lead to malicious software (like a Bitcoin Miner virus) being installed on the user’s computer, as well as the theft of personal data, or even the complete destruction of the system. It is important to scan all external storage devices for the Autorun.inf virus and take appropriate action to prevent it from infecting your computer.
The virus files of this malware may reside in the following Windows directories:
- %Local%
- %AppData%
- %Temp%
- %Windows%
If Autorun.inf turns out to be a fake .inf file, designed to imitate the legitimate Windows auto run file, it may also compromise the following Windows Registries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
Autorun.inf – How Dangerous Is It?
Autorun.inf is legitimate, however it can turn out to be a dangerous file that can be used to install malware or other threats, like a Trojan on a computer when a user accesses a USB drive or other external storage device. This file is usually hidden, and when opened, can launch malicious programs that can compromise a user’s system. It is important to scan any external storage drives before using them to ensure that they do not contain any malicious files.
Such a Trojan can be responsible for the following virus activities on your computer system:
- Download other viruses.
- Update its miners, control them.
- Take screenshots.
- Steal files.
- Log the keystrokes you type.
- Obtain data from your PC.
- Control your microphone and audio.
What to Do If I See Autorun.inf?
If you see Autorun.inf on your computer, it is important to take action. This file could be used by malicious software to spread viruses across a network or computer. To avoid infection, you should delete the Autorun.inf file from the directory that it was found in. It is also important to run a virus scan on your computer in order to detect any other malicious software that may have infected your system.
Remove Autorun.inf Virus from Your Computer
Removing an Autorun.inf virus from a computer is a simple process. First, the virus needs to be isolated and identified. Then, the virus can be removed through a variety of methods, such as using an anti-malware program or manually deleting the offending file(s) using the steps below. Once the virus has been removed, it is important to take measures to prevent reinfection by regularly scanning the system, updating the antivirus, and avoiding downloading unknown content.
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 Autorun.inf.
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 Autorun.inf with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Autorun.inf 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 Autorun.inf 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 Autorun.inf 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.
Autorun.inf FAQ
What Does Autorun.inf Trojan Do?
The Autorun.inf 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 Autorun.inf, 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 Autorun.inf 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 Autorun.inf 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 Autorun.inf Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Autorun.inf 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 Autorun.inf?
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 Autorun.inf threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.