What is NanoCore? How to remove NanoCore Trojan from your PC or Mac?
The NanoCore Trojan is a dangerous malware threat which is designed mainly for Microsoft Windows computers. It can be acquired from various sources, every attack campaign can focus on one specific tactic. Usually virus infections like this one are made by interacting with an infected file — this can be either a macro-infected document or a hacker-made software installer. They are often made by taking the legitimate files from their official sources and modifying them with the necessary virus code. Other data can also be affected. All kinds of other data may be used as well — this includes malicious plugins for web browsers and etc. In other cases the hackers can use a direct attacks that will look for system vulnerabilities and weaknesses. If any are found then the NanoCore Trojan will be installed.
Remote access Trojans, dubbed RATs for short, have been on the rise again. Cybercriminals employ them for various reasons – from financial gain to truly staggering spying sessions. Another NanoCore remote access Trojan recently has been detected to rove around the Web. Its highest rates of infection are found in USA and Canada.
Threat Summary
| Name | NanoCore Trojan |
| Type | Malware, Trojan, Miner |
| Short Description | A dangerous malware which can launch a miner and start a Trojan module. |
| Symptoms | The victims may notice performance issues and can get infected with other malware. |
| Distribution Method | Common distribution tactics and direct web attacks. |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss NanoCore Trojan. |
NanoCore Trojan – Update September 2019
The NanoCore Trojan as an old Trojan which is still easily accessed on the hacker underground markets and chatrooms. Different versions of it can be found as well as in-depth tutorials and howto guides on how to use it in different hacking attacks. The fact that it is still used and updated by various hackers shows that the tool is used in all kinds of scenarios. By definition it is a RAT that will infect computer users through a local malware app. Computer security experts have discovered a recent version with titled NanoCore v.1.2.2 which includes a lot of malicious techniques — password stealing, keylogger and the ability to spy on the victims.
NanoCore Trojan – How Did I Get It
The NanoCore Trojan is completed with premium plug-ins and specifically targets energy companies. Security experts believe that cyber criminals have started developing the threat back in 2013. Multiple variants have been detected since then, showing the different stages the Trojan has gone through.
The Trojan has been noticed to aim at energy companies in the Middle East and Asia. As reported by security specialists, the attackers first proceeded by impersonating the address of a legit oil organization in South Korea, adding credibility to the bogus message. The files used to employ the attack are usually RTF or Word.
The exploited vulnerability – CVE-2012-0158 in Microsoft Windows Common Controls – has been known for quite some time. Software specialists note that the bug is present in a bundle of older products.
NanoCore Trojan – What Does It Do
Experts have declared that the NanoCore last version is also suitable for less-experienced cybercriminals – it’s easy to find and cheap to buy. The Trojan proves to be a real kick for the career of every youngster wishing to develop malware. Researchers have also released information about the countries affected by the malicious attack. The highest rate of attacks is found in the United States, followed by Canada, Singapore, India, UK, and Hong Kong. Other targeted countries are Japan, Australia, United Arab Emirates, and Nigeria.
How to Remove NanoCore Trojan
In order to fully remove NanoCore from your computer system, we recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. If the first two manual removal steps do not seem to work and you still see NanoCore or programs, related to it, we suggest what most security experts advise – to download and run a scan of your comptuer with a reputable anti-malware program. Downloading this software will not only save you some time, but will remove all of NanoCore files and programs related to it and will protect your computer against such intrusive apps and malware in the future.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the beginning. 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
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove NanoCore Trojan from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of NanoCore Trojan from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove NanoCore Trojan from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase NanoCore Trojan from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall NanoCore Trojan from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove NanoCore Trojan from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate NanoCore Trojan from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove NanoCore Trojan from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove NanoCore Trojan
Step 2: Uninstall NanoCore Trojan 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.Step 3: Clean any registries, created by NanoCore Trojan 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 NanoCore Trojan 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.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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of NanoCore Trojan from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall NanoCore Trojan and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 NanoCore Trojan 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:
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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove NanoCore Trojan 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
Erase NanoCore Trojan 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
Uninstall NanoCore Trojan 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
Remove NanoCore Trojan 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 NanoCore Trojan will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate NanoCore Trojan 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.
