This article has been created in order to explain what is the NetSupport Manager Trojan and how to remove this malware completely from your computer.
The NetSupport Manager Trojan is a newly discovered dangerous Trojan that infects computers and can manipulate the system configuration. It contains advanced functionality which allows hackers to easily take over control of the machines. Our removal guide features a detailed explanation of the Trojan’s mechanisms of operation, as well as instructions on restoring the infected computers from the infections.
Threat Summary
| Name | NetSupport Manager Trojan |
| 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 NetSupport Manager Trojan. |
The NetSupport Manager Trojan is a dangerous malware which is based on a legitimate software which called NetSupport Manager. The hackers have hijacked the legitimate tool an integrated it in a Trojan — the malware is not associated in any way to the product or the company behind NetSupport Manager. The application is used to activate a remote control feature in the machine.
The criminals behind the Trojan have organized a phishing attack campaign — the virus code is embedded in macro-infected Microsoft Word documents. When opened it will display a fake Norton Life Lock notification which reads that the contents is protected and that they need to enable the built-in macros to view it. There are two scenarios which proceed from this interaction:
- Correct Key Entry — The correct key in the captured samples is the upper/lowercase letter C. This will start the infection.
- Invalid Entry — When a wrong password is entered the virus will not initiate.
In order to receive these files there are several possible distribution techniques, among which there are some of the popular ones:
- Phishing Emails — The hackers can send out email notifications which will include the malicious documents.
- Hosted Sites and Pages — The macro-infected documents can be uploaded to various hacker-controlled sites, download portals and landing pages.
- File-Sharing Networks — They are usually BitTorrent trackers or other similar networks where popular legitimate and fake data is shared.
- Malware Bundles — The NetSupport Manager Trojan can be integrated in application installers of popular software which is often installed by end users.
- Social Networks and Online Communities — The hackers can use fake identities in order to share the files. This can be in social networks, chat rooms, forums and etc.
In all of these cases when the virus infection is started one of the first actions which will be started is the setup of the virus engine as a persistent threat. The legitimate NetSupport Manager software will be installed and the virus engine will configure it so that the hackers can remotely login to the compromised systems. This is done by using a local script execution which will reconfigure the system accordingly and also deploy any other malware modules.
Other malicious actions which are run by the Trojan include Windows Registry Changes which can create new entries or modify existing ones in the system. This is especially dangerous as it can lead to many issues such as performance problems, data loss and unexpected errors. When the system changes are made the users will face greater difficulty when trying to use manual removal methods — it is advised that a professional-grade anti-spyware solution is used.
Common Trojan operations include the following actions:
- Information Gathering — The main engine can collect sensitive information related to the identity of the users and/or their machine. A hardware parts report can be generated and used to create an unique ID for each contaminated host.
- Malware Delivery — The Trojan can be used to install additional threats to the computers. This includes common malware such as ransomware, hijackers and cryptocurrency miners.
- Remote Control — The main engine can be used to take over control of the computers.
Remove NetSupport Manager Effectively from Windows
In order to fully get rid of this 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 NetSupport Manager 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 NetSupport Manager 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 NetSupport Manager Trojan.
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 NetSupport Manager Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by NetSupport Manager 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 NetSupport Manager 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.Step 3: Find virus files created by NetSupport Manager Trojan 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.
NetSupport Manager Trojan FAQ
What Does NetSupport Manager Trojan Trojan Do?
The NetSupport Manager Trojan 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 NetSupport Manager Trojan, 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 NetSupport Manager Trojan 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 NetSupport Manager Trojan 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 NetSupport Manager Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this NetSupport Manager Trojan 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 NetSupport Manager Trojan?
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 NetSupport Manager Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.