Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A: Remove It and Protect Your System

by Milena Dimitrova | May 5, 2016 | 0 Comments backdoor

Threat Summary Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A Distribution Methods How Can I Remove Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from My System?

Trojan-Horse

An unauthorized backdoor access to your system can compromise it in many ways, downloading malicious software onto it being the worst one. Be alert, because a new backdoor identified as Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A has been reported by security experts at Microsoft.

Threat Summary

Name	Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A
Type	Backdoor
Short Description	Once installed, the backdoor can perform a range of malicious activities, including downloading malware and including your PC in a botnet.
Symptoms	Files such as %TEMP%\puwuladrur.bat are created on the system.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments, File Sharing Networks, Bundled Downloads.
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join our forum to Discuss Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A.

The threat level of Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A is defined as severe, which means that the likeliness of becoming infected with malware is quite high. Having in mind the high infection rates of ransomware such as Locky and Cerber, the payload of any backdoor operation can definitely lead to the encryption of your data.

Other Recent Backdoors:
T9000
LatentBot
Bifrose

Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A Distribution Methods

Even though the exact distribution method of this backdoor hasn’t been outlined yet, backdoors are usually spread via the same paths. The most likely ways that may have infected your system include:

Spam email messages containing malicious attachments;
Spam email messages containing malicious links;
Via instant messengers;
Being redirected to malicious pages deployed for drive-by downloads;
Bundled downloads of freeware and torrents (p2p networks).

Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A Technical Overview

Microsoft security researchers report that once Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A is installed, it can create various files on your computer, one of them being:

%TEMP%\puwuladrur.bat

The backdoor also uses code injection to make its detection and removal more difficult. The threat can inject code into running processes, too.

As already mentioned in the beginning, the payload of the whole operation is permitting unauthorized access to the system. Once such access is obtained, any or all of the following malicious activities can take place:

Deleting and creating files;
Downloading and running files (malware);
Uploading files;
Logging keystrokes and stealing sensitive information;
Modifying system settings;
Running or stopping applications;
Spreading malware to other computers (becoming part of a botnet);

Note. According to Virustotal, Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A has other aliases:

→Atros3.AIAX [AVG]; Gen:Variant.Zusy.189561 [BitDefender]; UnclassifiedMalware [Comodo]; a variant of MSIL/Injector.OZF [ESET-NOD32]; Gen:Variant.Zusy.189561 (B) [Emsisoft]; F-Secure [Gen:Variant.Zusy.189561]; Trojan.Win32.IRCbot.aanp [Kaspersky];
Trojan.IRCBot.MSIL [Malwarebytes]; Trojan-FIHN!F76F76B0B477 [McAfee];
Trojan.Gen [Symantec], etc.

Trojan.IRCBot has already been analyzed by Enigma Software security researchers. It is indeed a backdoor Trojan that connects to an IRC server to receive commands. The backdoor can propagate via network shares, spam-emails and bundled downloads.

How Can I Remove Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from My System?

Backdoor Trojans can be very stealthy and damaging to your system. That is why the most secure way to remove such threats is by installing and running a trustworthy anti-malware program. If your knowledge of Windows is above average, you can follow the manual removal steps. No matter what you choose to do, keep in mind that automatic anti-malware protection is highly recommend. The threat landscape is more dangerous than ever.

Milena Dimitrova

An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim

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Guide 1: How to Remove Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

How to Remove Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A and related software from Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A 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 Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

Go to Finder.
In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.

In case you cannot remove Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A via Step 1 above:

In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:

→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.

Step 2: Scan for and remove Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Google Chrome.

Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu

Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"

Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Mozilla Firefox.

Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window

Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.

Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"

Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Microsoft Edge.

Step 1: Start Edge browser.

Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.

Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".

Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.

Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Safari.

Step 1: Start the Safari app.

Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".

Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.

Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.

Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate Backdoor:Win32/Kirts.A from Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.

Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'

Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.

Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.

Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.