Ice Spyware – How to Get Rid of It

What is Ice Spyware?

You’ve been hearing about “Ice spyware” and you’re not sure if your device might be affected, or maybe you received an alert or notification warning you that your phone was targeted — and you want to know what it is, how serious it is, and what you can do right now. Read this article carefully, because there are actually two different threats that go by this name, and which one applies to you changes everything. The guide at the bottom covers both scenarios.

When people search for “Ice spyware,” they’re typically referring to one of two distinct threats. The first is IceFog — a sophisticated, nation-state-grade advanced persistent threat (APT) spyware campaign first identified in 2011 that primarily targets industrial leaders, media companies, technology firms, defense contractors, and supply chain organizations, with more recent macOS variants documented in later years. The second is the ICE Cyber Crime Center virus — a type of malware that displays a fake FBI/Department of Homeland Security lock screen demanding a $300 fine, falsely claiming to be from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If your screen is locked with a government-branded message demanding payment, you have the second variant. If you work in a sensitive industry and received an Apple or WhatsApp threat notification, you may be dealing with a more sophisticated threat.

How Did I Get Ice Spyware?

The infection route depends entirely on which variant you’re dealing with. Here’s how each one spreads:

• ICE Cyber Crime Center virus (lock screen ransomware) — This threat is distributed through drive-by downloads from compromised websites, Trojans, and P2P network downloads. It arrives via malspam campaigns or malicious redirects from shady sites — especially streaming, torrent, and adult content platforms. The malicious payload exploits vulnerabilities in outdated Flash, Java, or browser plugins to install itself silently.
• IceFog APT spyware — This nation-state-grade threat arrives through highly targeted phishing spear-phishing emails carrying malicious attachments targeted at specific employees within high-value organizations. On macOS, it has been delivered through trojanized apps. This is not a threat that finds random users — it specifically hunts organizations in defense, media, technology, and supply chain sectors.
• Social engineering — Both variants use social engineering to maximize impact. The ICE lock screen exploits fear of law enforcement. IceFog exploits trusted communication channels within targeted organizations. If you received a fake “Your computer has been blocked by ICE” message, it is 100% a scam — the real U.S. government does not lock computers and demand MoneyPak payments.

What Does Ice Spyware Do?

Again, this depends heavily on which variant you have. Here’s what each does once active:

• ICE Cyber Crime Center virus — This screen-locker ransomware locks your Windows desktop with a fake government warning, prevents you from accessing any applications, and demands a $300 fine via MoneyPak or Green Dot voucher. It may also attempt to activate your webcam to display your own image in the lock screen — a psychological tactic designed to scare you into paying. The lock screen blocks Safe Mode access in some variants to prevent easy removal. Do not pay — paying does nothing. This is pure scareware.
• IceFog APT spyware — IceFog is a hit-and-run data theft operation. Once deployed, it quietly infiltrates the network, performs targeted data collection focused on specific documents and intellectual property, and exfiltrates the stolen data to a remote C&C server. It uses obfuscator techniques to avoid detection, persists via multiple startup mechanisms, and can silently update itself. On macOS, it has been documented stealing keychain data, contacts, and documents.

The ICE lock screen virus is scary-looking but relatively straightforward to remove without paying anything. IceFog, on the other hand, is a persistent and sophisticated computer virus-class threat that requires professional forensic analysis if you suspect your organization has been targeted.

What Should You Do?

If you have the ICE lock screen virus, do not pay the fine — it’s a scam. Boot into Safe Mode, run a full malware scan, and follow the removal guide below to unlock your system properly. If you suspect IceFog-style APT spyware in an organizational environment, do not attempt self-remediation — engage a cybersecurity incident response team immediately and follow the guide below for initial containment steps.

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 Ice Spyware.

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 Ice Spyware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

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

Download

Malware Removal Tool

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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.

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

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

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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.

Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Ice Spyware 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 Ice Spyware there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

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

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

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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.

Step 3: Find virus files created by Ice Spyware 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.

Ice Spyware FAQ

What Does Ice Spyware Trojan Do?

The Ice Spyware 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 Ice Spyware, 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 Ice Spyware 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 Ice Spyware 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 Ice Spyware Research

The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Ice Spyware 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 Ice Spyware?

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 Ice Spyware threat is backed with VirusTotal.

To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.