What is BlackSquid? How to remove BlackSquid Trojan from your PC or Mac?
The BlackSquid Trojan is a common malware threat which is designed 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 BlackSquid Trojan will be installed.
This particular threat is known for being spread using a multitude of weaknesses. It is set against both end users and servers. After the infection has been made the BlackSquid Trojan can download other threats, launch multiple dangerous modules and install a cryptocurrency miner which will run a sequence of performance-demanding tasks.
Threat Summary
| Name | BlackSquid 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 |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss BlackSquid Trojan. |
BlackSquid – How Did I Get It
The BlackSquid Trojan is a dangerous malware which is being spread in an active campaign against users worldwide. The dnerous tacti employed by this particular threat is that alongside the traditional distribution tactics of sending out phishing messages, creating malware sites or infected setup files of popular software. At the moment the majority of infections appear to target hosts that provide various services — web servers, network storages and etc.
A wide range of vulnerabilities are being used to intrude into the target hosts, the reason for this is because such campaigns are very easy to automate using special hacking software and common methods.
As soon as the threat finds a weakness in the host it will use it to deploy its files both to the host and any connected network devices in a worm-like manner. This means that the intrusions are conducted in a manner that seeks out to infect as many devices at once as possible.
BlackSquid – What Does It Do
When the BlackSquid Trojan is deployed on a given computer it will start with its built-in behavior pattern. The code analysis reveals that it will download multiple files to the compromised machines. If it provides any services or is connected to an internal network it will attempt to distribute itself to other contactable computers and devices.
What’s interesting about the BlackSquid Trojan is that it includes a service scan module — it will use a signature check that will launch appropriate vulnerabilties against them. As it is designed against a wide variety of targets it can launch various modules and execute different actions. The most common ones are the following:
- Sabotage — Accessed web servers and other content providers can be reconfigured in order to disrupt their normal functioning or deny access from visitors.
- Data Theft — The malware can be used to steal sensitive files and information from the hosts. This includes not only user data, but also information that is contained within browsers, applications, the Windows Registry and etc.
- Trojan Operations — One of the main ctions that are done by this paraticular threat is the launching of a Trojan module which allows the hackers to take over control of the infected hosts. This includes the ability to hijack data, edit key settings and spy on the victim users.
These threats will most commonly launch a cryptocurrency miner — dedicated software that will deploy a small client program that connects to a hacker-controlled server that provides a multitude of resource-intensive tasks. Their operations will place a heavy toll on the CPU, memory and hard disk space. When one of these tasks is reported as complete the operators will receive money in the form of digital cryptocurrency.
Like other similar threats this malware can be programmed to carry out all kinds of other actions against the compromised hosts. Updated versions may include other capabilities and launch other mdules when the infections have started.
How to Remove BlackSquid Trojan
In order to fully remove BlackSquid 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 BlackSquid 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 BlackSquid files and programs related to it and will protect your computer against such intrusive apps and malware in the future.
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 BlackSquid 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 BlackSquid Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by BlackSquid 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 BlackSquid 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 BlackSquid 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.
BlackSquid Trojan FAQ
What Does BlackSquid Trojan Trojan Do?
The BlackSquid 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 BlackSquid 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 BlackSquid 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 BlackSquid 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 BlackSquid Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this BlackSquid 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 BlackSquid 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 BlackSquid Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.