What Is Mekotio Trojan
Mekotio Trojan is one of the advanced malware which has been used in several dangerous attack campaigns over the years. Different hacking groups have created their own versions of it. It can not only overtake control of the computers, but also hijack user data and commit dangerous actions on the hosts.
Mekotio Trojan Summary
| Name | Mekotio Trojan |
| Type | Trojan/Keylogger |
| 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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Mekotio Trojan – Virus Infection Methods
The Mekotio Trojan is a versatile banking Trojan which is currently being used in a widespread campaign in Latin America. Several reports indicate that the countries which are most affected by it are Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Peru and Portugal.
It appears that the countries which are selected by the hackers are the Spanish and Portugese speaking ones in the Americas. What is known about it is that it has been actives since 2015 where the first major version of it was detected. This first version was written in the Delphi programming language which means that it is compatible with modern operating systems.
It is believed that most of the Trojan samples are distributed using SPAM methods. This is the bulk creation of fake content which are directed against the targets. There are two popular variants which are used for this purpose:
- Email Messages — The hackers can construct email messages that look like as if they have been sent in by famous companies or services. Common variants are online merchants, social networks and even online banks.
- Hacker-created sites — The criminals can construct fake pages of well-known portals. This is also done by prior infections with browser hijackers which will redirect the victims to a hacker-controlled page.
When the users access the dangerous contents they will end up with a virus executable or an archive file (usually ZIP). When they are run the infection sequence will be started.
As always the first stage is the payload dropper — it will download the relevant malicious packages from a remote server. They contain some of the base code and a second downloader which will be started and deliver the rest of the Mekotio Trojan. The third stage will deliver a PowerShell script which will download the main threat using a specified URL. The last four stage is the starting of the local malware.
Trojan horse infections like this one can alternatively be carried by other methods as well. They are often carried in other kinds of hacker-created files, the two most popular cases are the macro-infected documents: presentations, text files, databases and spreadsheets. When they are opened by the victims a prompt will be shown asking the users to enable the built-in code. If this is enabled the malware will be delivered and installed automatically. The other method is the insertion of the relevant code in setup bundles of well-known software. This includes popular application which are often installed by end users: creativity suites, productivity tools, system utilities and etc.
All virus related data can also be sent via file-sharing networks where users frequently distribute both legitimate and pirate content.
During the distribution the security experts uncovered that during the network communication the Trojan horse used custom values for the headers. This marks an unique signature which allows it to be easier to track the ongoing infections. However the transmission of command lines and instructions to the local agent is built in a way which safeguards against security analysis.
Mekotio Trojan – Virus Capabilities
When the Mekotio Trojan is installed on the local machine it will start a persistent connection to a hacker-controlled servers. They allow the criminals to spy on the victims, steal their files and run various types of actions.
Instead of a traditionl server the Mekotio Trojan hackers use a SQL Database server. This means that instead of the typical HTTP commands the remote connections will request and send out SQL commands which will translate to malicious actions. While this technique has been used before it ensures that active infections will be very difficult to trace.
There are several methods through which the addresses of the command and control servers are generated: based on a hardcoded list of “fake domains”, by using the current date and time and the day. This is particularly useful as it allows great flexibility when it comes to the control of the hacked computers. Other malicious actions which can be run include by the main engine include the following:
This Mekotio Trojan horse infection is rated as very dangerous. For this reason we recommend that actiev infections are removed as quickly as possible in order to prevent further damage to the computers.
Mekotio 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 separate this malware first of all and after that remove it’s destructive files. If you lack the 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 Mekotio 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.
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Preparation before removing Mekotio 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 Mekotio Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Mekotio 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 Mekotio 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 Mekotio 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.
Mekotio Trojan FAQ
What Does Mekotio Trojan Trojan Do?
The Mekotio 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 Mekotio 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 Mekotio 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 Mekotio 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 Mekotio Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Mekotio 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 Mekotio 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 Mekotio Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.