The Mi_unlock_en.exe is a dangerous weapon used against computer users worldwide. It infects mainly via phishing email messages. Our article gives an overview of its behavior according to the collected samples and available reports, also it may be helpful in attempting to remove the virus.
Threat Summary
| Name | Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware |
| Type | Trojan |
| Short Description | The Mi_unlock_en.exe is a scam program that is designed to infiltrate computer systems. |
| Symptoms | The victims may not experience any apparent symptoms of infection. |
| Distribution Method | Phishing Messages, Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Scripts and others. |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware. |
Mi_unlock_en.exe – Distribution Methods
The Mi_unlock_en.exe is a malicious application that has been spotted on several Internet sites. It appears to pose as a legitimate made by Xiaomi which unlocks the bootloader of their phones. It can be distributed using a variety of methods and under different file names and description variations.
In many cases the hackers can craft email messages that are sent in a SPAM-like manner and impersonate Xiaomi or another company. These messages can use stolen content and design layout thereby deceiving the recipients into thinking that they have received an legitimate notification. The users might be tricked into interacting with the built-in content or attached files.
The other common tactic is to create hacker-made web sites that pose as legitimate software landing pages, download portals or other frequently accessed sites. The infections can happen also through interaction with any elements such as pop-ups, banners and ads.
This particular threat can be installed also by payload carriersof which there are two main types:
- Malicious Documents — The hackers can embed the virus installation code into macros which are then made part of documents across all popular file formats: presentations, databases, spreadsheets and text files. Whenever they are opened by the victims a prompt will be spawned asking them to enable the built-in content. If this is done the Mi_unlock_en.exe will be installed on the local machine.
- Bundle Installers — This is the other popular mechanism often used by hackers. Installers of commonly used applications by end users can be modified by the criminals in order to lead to the virus infection. This is done by taking the legitimate files from their official sources and modifying them to include the necessary code.
To further spread the dangerous Mi_unlock_en.exe files the hackers will distribute them on file-sharing sites as well. The most popular utility is BitTorrent which uses various trackers that are used to distribute both pirate and legitimate data.
Larger attacks can be spread via browser hijackers — they are dangerous plugins made compatible with the most popular web browsers. They are uploaded by the hackers to the relevant web site repositories with fake user reviews and developer credentials. The accompanying description will promise new features addition and performance optimiztions which entices the visitors into installing them. As soon as this is done the malware file will be downloaded and run on the target computers.
Mi_unlock_en.exe – Detailed Description
The Mi_unlock_en.exe is a generic file name which has been reported to contain various forms of malware. This particular file name is attributed to a legitimate and widely used utility by Xiaomi phone users — the unlock tool used to remove the protection from the phone’s bootloader. This allows phone owners to install other ROMs and apply certain system updates.
The most common malware form that this file carries is the installation of a cryptocurrency miner. The process will appear in the task manager utilizing many of the important hardware of the computer in order to execute complex mathematical tasks: CPU, Memory, GPU and hard disk space. A connection is made to a specific server which will generate these tasks and they will be downloaded automatically by the engine. Whenever one of them is completed another will be retrieved and started in its place. At the same time the hackers will be rewarded with a digital transfer of cryptocurrency that will be automatically placed in their wallets.
Other popular types of malware that the Mi_unlock_en.exe can host include the following:
- Ransomware — They are among the most dangerous virus types. Active ransomware infections will use a strong cipher that will target process user data according to a built-in list of target file type extensions. Usually common files are targeted such as images, archives, databases, music, videos and etc. Specific extensions are added to the affected files and ransomware notes and images can be crafted in order to blackmail the victims into paying the criminals a decryption fee.
- Trojans — This is a dangerous type of viruses that will establish a secure connection to a hacker-controlled server. It enables the criminals to spy on the victims in real-time, hijack their information and deploy additional threats.
- Adware — Interacting with such files can lead to a dangerous infection with adware. This is usually done by retrieving browser hijackers or changing important setttings in the operating system.
- Generic Malware Commands — They can be caused by executing certain common behavior patterns. Many of them are programmed to do one single task or several ones as devised by a certain behavior pattern. A prime example is the manipulation of the system — many malware will disable access to the boot options and recovery menus which will make manual user recovery very difficult unless a professional-grade anti-spyware solution is used.
Many Mi_unlock_en.exe malware files can additionally lead to Windows Registry Modifications. When they affect the operating system this can have a tremendous negative impact on the operating system — it can become completely unusable. When third-party applications are affected it will effectively stop certain functions, cause errors and may data loss.
Various other types of behavior can be exhibited depending on the ongoing attack campaign.
Remove Mi_unlock_en.exe Completely
To remove Mi_unlock_en.exe manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal tutorial written down below. In case this manual removal does not get rid of the miner malware completely, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software can keep your computer secure 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 Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware.
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 Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware 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 Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware 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 Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware 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.
Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware FAQ
What Does Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware Trojan Do?
The Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware 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 Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware, 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 Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware 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 Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware 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 Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware 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 Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware?
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 Mi_unlock_en.exe Malware threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.