This article aims to help you completely remove the Adylkuzz Monero miner Trojan from your computer, dropping the files msiexev.exe and wuauser.exe in it.
A Trojan horse, named Adylkuzz has been reported to use the same exploits WannaCry ransomware’s worm – EternalBlue and DoublePulsar SMB exploits for infection of computers. But unlike other Trojan viruses, the Adylkuzz miner Trojan aims to use the resources of the infected computer in order to mine for a cryptocurrency, called Monero. In case you have experienced a slow performance on your computer and higher CPU, RAM or GPU usage and have the suspicious processes above running from an unknown user, you have been infected by Adylkuzz. Keep reading this material in order to learn more about this infection and learn how to remove all malicious files belonging to Adylkuzz trojan.
Threat Summary
| Name | Trojan.Adylkuzz |
| Type | Trojan Horse, Miner Malware |
| Short Description | Aims to use the resources of the infected computer in order to mine for a cryptocurrency, known as Monero. |
| Symptoms | Extremely high usage of system resources. The files msiexev.exe and wuauser.exe are dropped on the compromised computer. |
| Distribution Method | The trojan infects a computer via SMB exploit, known as EternalBlue and uses DoublePulsar backdoor to install the malicious files. |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Trojan.Adylkuzz. |
How Did I Get Infected With Adylkuzz Trojan
The Trojan, may slip onto your computer via the two very exploits used in the massive WannaCry ransomware outbreak, that broke out earlier this month:
- EternalBlue
- DoublePulsar
→Related:Adylkuzz Uses WannaCry Exploits, Mines Monero Cryptocurrency
These exploits were oriented towards multiple different types of systems, but predominantly these systems are unpatched versions of Windows 7. However, they also work on all other unpatched versions of Windows, it comes down to how the cyber-criminals behind the Trojan.Adylkuzz miner have decided to distribute the infection. It may be conducted via multiple different methods:
- The infection file uploaded as a fake updater, installer, or other executable.
- The infection file uploaded as a fake document, being a part of massive spam e-mail campaign.
- The infection, conducted via a third-party ad-supported program causing a browser redirect or directly infecting the computer
Adylkuzz Trojan – What Does It Do?
Among the primary activities of this Trojan horse after infection your computer is to drop it’s malicious processes and run in in Windows Task Manager. The processes are named as follows:
- msiexev.exe
- wuauser.exe
These processes are only configured as services of Windows after the malware obtains administrative permissions over the user’s computer. After these permissions are obtained, the Trojan.Adylkuzz threat set’s the processes as legitimate Windows services. This way they can start alongside the operating system’s start-up process.
In addition to it’s primary set of activities, Adylkuzz is a Trojan Horse as well, meaning that it may also:
- Steal important files from your computer.
- Log the keystrokes you type to steal passwords.
- Steal financial credentials and personal information from your web browsers..
- Infect your computer with other malware.
- Obtain system information and network information..
After this has been done and the executables have already been initiated, the Trojan.Adylkuzz infection begins to perform multiple different types of administrative commands, beginning with the following command, reported by malware researchers:
-a cryptonight -o stratum+tcp://{URL to a mining pool} -u {Unique user ID}-p x
After this command is initiated, the Trojan.Adylkuzz infection begins to use all of the resources of the processor (CPU) of the infected Windows computer. These resources are used to conduct the so-called mining for cryptocurrency. Mining consists of performing complicated calculations and solving mathematical equations to complete an order from someone who is using the cryptocurrency, in this case, Monero.
The cryptocurrency has been reported to see a rise in the past seven days as well:
Source: Coinmarketcap.com
Detect and Remove the Adylkuzz Virus from Your PC
One method to detect this virus is to manually look for the malicious files and remove them, using the manual removal instructions below. However, these may not be the only modifications done by the Trojan.Adylkuzz infection on your computer. The virus may also create additional objects that can reinstall it, even If you have located the msiexev.exe and wuauser.exe files. This is why security experts strongly recommend victims to scan their computers with an advanced anti-malware program to fully remove the Trojan.Adylkuzz threat.
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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- Guide 1: How to Remove Trojan.Adylkuzz from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Trojan.Adylkuzz from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Trojan.Adylkuzz from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Trojan.Adylkuzz from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Trojan.Adylkuzz from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Trojan.Adylkuzz from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Trojan.Adylkuzz from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Trojan.Adylkuzz from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Trojan.Adylkuzz
Step 2: Uninstall Trojan.Adylkuzz 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 Trojan.Adylkuzz 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 Trojan.Adylkuzz 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 Trojan.Adylkuzz from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Trojan.Adylkuzz 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 Trojan.Adylkuzz 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 Trojan.Adylkuzz files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Trojan.Adylkuzz, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac 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 Trojan.Adylkuzz 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 Trojan.Adylkuzz 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 Trojan.Adylkuzz 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 Trojan.Adylkuzz 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 Trojan.Adylkuzz will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Trojan.Adylkuzz 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.
