This article has been created in order to explain what is the Grobios Trojan and how to remove this malware completely from your computer.
The Grobios Trojan is a dangerous virus threat that has recently been identified in a hacker campaign. It contains advanced code that can cause a lot of damage to the infected hosts, including remote surveillance of the users in real-time. Read more about recovering infected hosts in our complete Grobios Trojan removal guide.
Threat Summary
| Name | Grobios |
| Type | Trojan Horse Virus |
| Short Description | Silently infects the target machines and modifies key applications and system services. |
| Symptoms | The user may not experience any signs of infiltration. |
| Distribution Method | Malicious web links, Malicious Files, Malicious E-Mails |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Grobios. |
Grobios – How Does It Infect
The Grobios Trojan is a potent weapon that can be delivered using various methods. Depending on the target users the operators can choose the most adequate tool. A preferred method may be the use of email SPAM messages that utilize social engineering techniques. Usually they contain hijacked content from legitimate sites and services in the form of text and graphics. Counterfeit notification messages can be crafted that can include the Trojan instances. In addition the emails can also be used to spread infected payload carriers, two popular types are the following:
- Software Installers — The hackers can embed the Grobios Trojan code in application installers of various types: system utilities, creativity suites, productivity programs and even computer games.
- Infected Documents — The hackers behind the Grobios Trojan can infect documents using the same mechanism. Targets can be presentations, text documents or spreadsheets. The typical behavior is to integrate dangerous scripts in them, when they are opened a notification message will appear asking the victim users to enable the built-in macros. If this is done the malicious script is activated and the infection follows.
These payloads can be distributed on hacker-controlled sites as well as file sharing networks like BitTorrent. In a manner similar to the emils they can use text and graphics taken from well-known sites and services and customize them with a similar domain name. When malicious scripts are used they can take form of banners, pop-ups, redirects and in-content links. Using advertising and affiliate networks the malicious instance can also take over legitimate sites.
The Grobios Trojan can be deployed to hackers using browser hijackers that represent malicious browser plugins. They are usually uploaded to the relevant plugin repositories with fake developer credentials and user reviews. Detailed descriptions with promises of new features are the main social engineering tactic. Once they are deployed to the systems changes usually follow to the default settings as the criminals redirect the victims to a hacker-controlled page. They also install various tracking cookies to the victim computers. After this is complete the malware infections follows.
At the moment the biggest distribution channel used by the Grobios Trojan remains the use of the RIG Exploit Kit which is used in email campaigns and malvertising sites.
Grobios – More Information and Analysis
The Grobios Trojan is a newly released threat that is being actively pushed to computer victims. The infection starts with an advanced stealth protection module. This module is programmed to protect the virus instance from security software and products that can interfere with its correct execution. This includes anti-virus products, virtual machine hosts and sandbox environments.
When the infected host has been bypassed completely the virus code is multiplied in several locations, including the Program Files (x86) folder. This actions is performed to prevent the users from manually removing the instances by themselves. Furthermore the Trojan is copied to a Google folder with a random name and uses Google Chrome’s icon to hide itself as an asset used by the web browsers.
The security analysis shows that the threat is also set up as a persistent installation. This means that the code is made to execute every time the computer boots. In connection with this Grobios may also delete sensitive user data. This is usually connected with the Shadow Volume Copies which are used for data recovery. When such steps are taken the victims can use our detailed recovery instructions which shows how the data can be recovered.
System changes to the Windows Registry can follow. When the Trojan code acts against user-installed software it can render certain features and services unusable. When this is done against the operating system itself the victims will experience overall performance issues.
The main malicious engine associated with this threat is the actual network connection module. It connects to a hacker-controlled server which is sued to collect the harvested information. Depending on the hacker commands it can be used for different malicious activity such as the following:
- Sensitive Data Harvest — The Grobios Trojan engine can be programmed into obtaining information that can expose the victim’s identity. Examples include strings like their name, address, interests, location, passwords and account credentials. Part of the information can be used to optimize the attack campaigns.
- Surveillance — The hackers can spy on the victims in real time, as well as take over their computers. This action is also used for theft of personal files.
- Malware Deployment — The Grobios Trojan can be used to deliver additional threats to the victim hosts which forms a type of second-stage infection strategy.
- System Modification — The Trojan code has been found to include functionality that can modify the host systems. This includes the opening of network ports, process manipulation, configuration files modifications and etc.
One of the dangerous aspects when encountering Grobios Trojan strains is the notion that every infection campaign can carry a custom version of the malware. As a result future versions of it can use a completely different behavior pattern. Some of the signatures that anti-virus companies have devised for it include the following identifiers: BKDR_ANDROM.COGAZ, Trojan.Generic.D1CF9DB1, Trojan.Win32.Inject.aivlz, Trojan/Win32.Occamy.C2431572 and others.
Remove Grobios Effectively from Windows
In order to fully get rid of this cryptocurrency miner Trojan, we advise you to follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They are made so that they help you to isolate and then delete the Grobios Trojan either manually or automatically. If manual removal represents difficulty for you, experts always advise to perform the removal automatically by running an anti-malware scan via specific software on your PC. Such anti-malware program aims to make sure that the Grobios is fully gone and your Windows OS stays safe against any future malware 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 Grobios.
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 Grobios with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Grobios 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 Grobios 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 Grobios 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.
Grobios FAQ
What Does Grobios Trojan Do?
The Grobios 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 Grobios, 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 Grobios 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 Grobios 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 Grobios Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Grobios 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 Grobios?
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 Grobios threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.