What is Mshta.exe Trojan?
Mshta.exe is a virus that is disguised as a legitimate Windows program. It can be used to download and install malicious software, steal sensitive information, or to gain access to a system. It is important to be aware of this virus and take the necessary steps to protect your computer.
Mshta.exe Summary
| Name | Mshta.exe |
| 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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User Experience | Join Our Forum to go over Mshta.exe. |
Mshta.exe Trojan – Why Do I See It?
Mshta.exe is a malicious process associated with the Trojan virus. It is used by hackers to gain access to computers, steal information, and cause malicious damage to systems. It can be difficult to remove and is best detected and removed by a professional security program.
Mshta.exe Trojan – How Did I Get It?
The Mshta.exe Trojan Process is a malicious program that can infect a computer through a variety of methods, such as malicious links in emails or websites, downloading malicious files, or by exploiting security vulnerabilities. Once installed, the Trojan can access personal information and spread itself to other computers.
The Mshta.exe Trojan may also be spread via fake e-mail attachments, such as:
- A flight ticket.
- Paycheck document.
- Payment due type of document.
- An e-receipt or invoice.
Mshta.exe Virus – What Does It Do?
Mshta.exe is a malicious trojan process that is used to infect computers and steal sensitive information. It is capable of downloading and executing malicious code, as well as manipulating system settings and launching other malicious processes.
It can also be among the Bitcoin Miner virus threats, using your CPU and GPU for cryptocurrency mining.
The Mshta.exe file may exist in the following system directories:
- %Local%
- %AppData%
- %Temp%
- %Windows%
Mshta.exe may further 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
Mshta.exe – How Dangerous Is It?
Mshta.exe is a typical Trojan threat and like such, it can do the following risky activities on your Windows:
- 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 Mshta.exe?
If you see the Mshta.exe Trojan process running in your Task Manager, it is important to immediately stop the process and run a deep scan on your system with an up-to-date antivirus program to detect and remove any malicious files. It is also important to update your security software and operating system to make sure your system is not vulnerable to other threats.
Remove Mshta.exe Virus from Your Computer
Removing the Mshta.exe virus from your computer can be done by running a full system scan with an antivirus software and then deleting any malicious files it finds or following the guide below (for experienced users). It is also important to keep your computer up to date with the latest security patches.
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 Mshta.exe.
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 Mshta.exe with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Mshta.exe 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 Mshta.exe 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 Mshta.exe 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.
Mshta.exe FAQ
What Does Mshta.exe Trojan Do?
The Mshta.exe 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 Mshta.exe, 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 Mshta.exe 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 Mshta.exe 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 Mshta.exe Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Mshta.exe 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 Mshta.exe?
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 Mshta.exe threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.