This article has been created in order to explain what is the PoulightStealer Trojan and how to remove this malware completely from your computer.
The PoulightStealer 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 | PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer Trojan. |
The PoulightStealer Trojan is a recently discovered malware which is currently being spread against target users worldwide. At the moment there is no information about the hacking group behind it — we cannot state from where they are from or how much experience they have. At the moment the number of captured samples is relatively low which means that the intrusion attempts may be in a testing phase or the criminals have chosen a very limited set of intended victims.
What we know is that the Trojan is being distributed as an executable file — this means that we can limit the types of infection strategies to the ones which are most likely to carry them. One of the common ones are the so-called bundle installers — the hackers can create files which when opened or interacted with will unpack and run the virus executable file. They can be macro-infected documents of all popular file formats or virus-infected app installers. These installers are made by taking the original files from their official sources and modifying them with the code.
The files can be spread using different strategies including elaborate phishing campaigns and social engineering methods. they can include the coordination of email messages which can impersonate the notifications of famous companies and services. Another method is the creation of custom sites where the files will be hosted. Both of them can be hosted on domain names that sound similar to the services which are impersonated and can include hijacked design and similar text and layout.
Other locations where the threat can be distributed include file-sharing networks where pirate data is freely shared among users, one of the best examples is the BitTorrent network. In some caes the criminals may also choose to integrate the code in browser hijackers — they are dangerous plugins made compatible with the most popular web browsers. They can be often distributed on various repositories and software download sites and feature elaborate descriptions in order to fool the victims into installing them.
The PoulightStealer Trojan at this moment appears to be in its initial version — it does not include any advanced functionality and will start immediately as soon as the infection is made. What we know is that the Trojan will launch a basic local client — this will allow the hackers to take over control of the machines, steal valuable data and also spy on the users. The security analysis shows that the network connection is made in two phases — the first one will download a configuration file from a remote server specifying if certain options are to be enabled. The second one is the establishing of the actual Trojan connection.
Apart from the network client there is the possibility that another option is also enabled in some of the samples — process control and data theft. This is used to bypass certain running processes that may be related to security processes that may block the Trojan virus. In addition the main engine can be programmed to sensitive user and machine data. This is done by searching user files, operating system values and Registry values. This can include personal user details which can be used to commit identity and financial crimes. The machine data can be used to generate an unique ID for each compromised computer.
Further updates can include additional modules which can be run depending on the local machine conditions or the hacker instructions.
Remove PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer 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.
PoulightStealer Trojan FAQ
What Does PoulightStealer Trojan Trojan Do?
The PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer 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 factory reset.
Can PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer 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 PoulightStealer Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.