What Is Kimsuky Trojan
Kimsuky Trojan is a recently discovered computer malware that is spread in active attack campaigns It is believed that a hacking group from North Korea are behind it. The infection mechanisms rely on the victim’s manipulation. Once installed on a given computer, the built-in engine will lead to many dangerous actions. Read our in-depth analysis of the samples and learn how to remove active infections in this article.
Kimsuky Trojan Summary
| Name | Kimsuky Trojan |
| Type | Trojan |
| Short Description | Aims to steal data from your computer and run different malware actions. |
| Symptoms | Your computer may behave strangely and new files may be dropped in several Windows Directories. |
| Distribution Method | Common infection methods including phishing messages and malware-infected files. |
| Detection Tool |
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Kimsuky Trojan – Virus Infection Methods
The Kimsuky Trojan is a newly discovered malware module that appears to originate from North Korea hackers. It is probably the work of a state-sponsored group, however concrete evidence is still not found. From the analysis of the captured samples, the researchers note that it is possible that the criminal collective has been active since as early as 2012. The experts from Cybereason have published an extensive analysis giving further information about the capabilities of this new malware.
What we know is that it has been previously known under other names as well: Black Banshee and Thalium. Over the years different tactics and modules have been added to intrude onto the target computers. The American FBI and DOD released a memo giving further information about the captured versions of this threat.
To obtain access to the target systems the hackers use mainly manipulative tactics. The hackers will attempt to manipulate system owners into opening up crafted email messages that are sent to them. By opening them and interacting with the content, the virus will be deployed to the target system and automatically start its commands. Other social engineering can be the following:
- Fake Landing Pages — The criminals can create counterfeit pages and sites of famous services and companies. The usual mechanisms through which this is done is the use of similar-sounding domain names, this can fool the recipients into thinking that they have accessed the legitimate page, but in fact they have mistyped it. To make them appear as safe and useful, the hackers may insert stolen content and design as well.
- Intrusive Advertising — Links to these hacker-created sites can be easily sent over ad networks and other portals that are being operated by criminals.
- Redirects — The use of web browser hijackers and associated redirect code can be used to deliver this particular malware to the target computers.
Other tactics can be used by the hackers in forthcoming attacks. The Kimsuky Trojan has been found to use several clever social manipulation tactics. The hackers appear to have targeted experts in different fields and send out specific template-based messages. For instance, journalists can receive interview prompts, while others can receive academic articles or important system notifications. The email messages will contain a backdoor loader that will lead to the deployment of the Trojan.
Kimsuky Trojan – Virus Capabilities
At the start of the infection, the virus will start a combination of several actions: the use of a loader component called BabyShark and a sequence of commands that are to be executed by the operating system. It is very likely that this is done in accordance to the guidelines observed by most hacking groups to conduct a security bypass procedure. This is the scanning of the local computers in search of applications that can block viruses from running properly. This includes anti-virus programs, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and etc.
Many malware of this type will also be programmed to gather valuable information: the hijacked information can be both personal user’s information or operating system data. The collected may be used to conduct other crimes such as financial abuse, identity theft, and etc. Usually, by using the data obtained from the systems the hackers can use another module to generate a unique identity of each individual computer. Some of the areas that are accessible by this particular Trojan includes application data (including web browsers), the Windows Credential Manager, email client programs, office software, or remote desktop clients. As part of this malware, other components can be downloaded and run, depending on the individual hacking strategy.
One of the main modules which are run by the criminals is the running of the Trojan module which will establish a persistent and secure connection to a hacker-controlled server. It is not known whether or not other modules can be downloaded and run by hackers. Important changes to the system can also be Windows Registry — existing values can be edited or the malware can create new ones for itself. This can lead to issues such as performance issues, data loss, and the inability to run certain services.
During the running of the main Trojan threat, the security analysis has discovered that the virus will also run a keylogger instance — a small program that will hijack the keyboard input and mouse movement of the victim users. Some of the dangerous modules and capabilities that are part of the infection module include anti-forensics, anti-virus evasion techniques, backdating of the executables, and etc.
Kimsuky Trojan – Virus Removal GUIDE
In order to fully remove this infection from your computer system, recommendations are to try the automatic removal guidelines below. They are particularly created in order to assist you to separate this malware first of all and after that remove, it’s destructive files. If you lack experience in malware removal, the best method and most reliable one according to safety professionals is to use an innovative anti-malware software program. Such will not just immediately get rid of the Kimsuky infection from your computer system, yet will certainly additionally ensure that your computer system remains shielded versus future 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.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove Kimsuky Trojan from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Kimsuky Trojan from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Kimsuky Trojan from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Kimsuky Trojan from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Kimsuky Trojan from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Kimsuky Trojan from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Kimsuky Trojan from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Kimsuky Trojan from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Kimsuky Trojan
Step 2: Uninstall Kimsuky 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 Kimsuky 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 Kimsuky 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 Kimsuky Trojan from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Kimsuky 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 Kimsuky 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 Kimsuky Trojan files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Kimsuky Trojan, 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 Kimsuky 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 Kimsuky 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 Kimsuky 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 Kimsuky 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 Kimsuky Trojan will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Kimsuky 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.
