A new Trojan horse attack has been spotted in the wild. According to the research team at Symantec, the malware known as MSIL.Stimilik is primarily distributed via Steam instant messages.
| Name | MSIL.Stimilik |
| Type | Trojan Horse, keylogger |
| Short Description | The Trojan horse is most likely designed to harvest passwords through a keylogger. |
| Symptoms | Entries are added to the Registry, files are added or deleted from the system. |
| Distribution Method | Instant messages |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By MSIL.Stimilik |
Systems Affected by MSIL.Stimilik
The Trojan is designed to affect the following versions of the Windows operating system:
Windows 2000, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP
MSIL.Stimilik Technical Details
The MSIL.Stimilik Trojan is most likely capable of executing several malicious activities on the affected machine – adding and deleting files and folders, tempering with the Windows registry, connecting to a remote server to receive commands.
Once the Trojan has sneaked into the system, it may create multiple files:
- %SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\[FOLDER name]\[FILE name].exe
- %Temp%\difdicrj.txt
- %Temp%\visited.txt
- %Temp%\[RANDOM CHARACTERS].vbs
Besides adding new files, MSIL.Stimilik can delete all of the files in the following folder:
- %SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
According to Symantec, new registry entries will also be added:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\”Microsoft” = “[PATH TO MALWARE]”
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\”shell” = “[PATH TO MALWARE], explorer.exe”
Our research indicates that the MSIL.Stimilik Trojan may have keylogging capabilities. According to a VirusTotal scan report, the fade.exe process is associated with the Trojan.
We have already discussed the fade.exe process. It is an executable file, a keylogger in nature, designed to start a parasite on an infected computer. Once executed, fade.exe will run a process and activate a payload.
Fade.exe may be detected as any of the following:
- MSIL:GenMalicious-AUQ [Trj] – Avast
- Gen:Variant.Zusy.143004 – BitDefender
- a variant of MSIL/Stimilik.AG – ESET NOD-32
- Trojan.Passwords.STM – MalwareBytes
- Trojan-PSW.MSIL.Steam.gq – Kaspersky
- Trojan:Win32/Skeeyah.A!rf – Microsoft
- Infostealer.Stimaler – Sophos
Other processes that can be affected by MSIL.Stimilik include:
dimariqq_crypt.exe; screenshot.exe; Vintrila.exe
MSIL.Stimilik Removal Options
As visible by the information provided in this article, this particular Trojan is most likely designed to harvest passwords via a keylogger. However, other types of personal information, such as banking credentials, may be targeted as well. Dealing with the Trojan may not be as easy as it seems.
Even though it is possible to manually locate and remove the threat, relying on professional AV software is recommended. MSIL.Stimilik tempers with the Windows Registry and hides in multiple directories, and a manual removal may leave traces behind
If you feel confident enough to deal with the Trojan, you can refer to our removal guide just below the article.
Step 1: Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove MSIL.Stimilik.
Removing MSIL.Stimilik from Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Removing MSIL.Stimilik from Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Substep 1:
Open the Start Menu
Substep 2:
Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Substep 3:
After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.
Substep 4:
You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.
Substep 5:
After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Substep 6:
Click on Restart.
Substep 7:
A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart and boot into Safe Mode so you can scan for and remove MSIL.Stimilik.
Step 2: Remove MSIL.Stimilik automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all MSIL.Stimilik associated objects.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the beginning. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Guide 1: How to Remove MSIL.Stimilik from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of MSIL.Stimilik from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove MSIL.Stimilik from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase MSIL.Stimilik from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall MSIL.Stimilik from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove MSIL.Stimilik from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate MSIL.Stimilik from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove MSIL.Stimilik from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove MSIL.Stimilik
Step 2: Uninstall MSIL.Stimilik 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 MSIL.Stimilik 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 MSIL.Stimilik 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 MSIL.Stimilik from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall MSIL.Stimilik 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 MSIL.Stimilik 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 malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner 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 MSIL.Stimilik 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 MSIL.Stimilik 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 MSIL.Stimilik 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 MSIL.Stimilik 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 MSIL.Stimilik will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate MSIL.Stimilik 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.
