What Is NuggetPhantom Trojan
NuggetPhantom Trojan is a complex computer malware that is distributed using different infiltration strategies, including abusing the EternalBlue vulnerabilities. Its presence on computer systems allows hackers to recruit the hosts to a worldwide botnet network, spy on the victims, install other viruses, and conduct other dangerous actions. Like other advanced threats of its category, the NuggetPhantom Trojan will remain hidden and may also disable deployed security software.
NuggetPhantom Trojan is a recently discovered computer malware that is spread in active attack campaigns. 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.
NuggetPhantom Trojan Summary
| Name | NuggetPhantom Trojan, also known as Trojan.Win32.Inject.akjav, Win64/Kryptik.BJI, Trojan:Win32/Occamy.CE4, Win64:Malware-gen, Trojan.Agent.DHZT. |
| 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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NuggetPhantom Trojan – Virus Infection Methods
The recently announced NuggetPhantom Trojan is a computer malware, capable of dealing a wide variety of actions against the compromised machines. The currently detected strain is behind launched by an unknown hacking collective and makes use of a complex distribution strategy. What is confirmed about it is that it infects mainly via the well-known EternalBlue vulnerability exploit. This means that outdated computers (those that have not applied security updates) are the most likely targets and victims of the malware.
Trojan-type viruses like the NuggetPhantom malware are primarily distributed using common tactics and mechanisms, including the following:
- Phishing Methods — These are social manipulation techniques that are devised to make the users download and run the virus code or virus-infected files. Most often this is done by hosting sites on similar-sounding domain names to well-known companies and services. This can also be done by preparing email messages, it can contain links to the malware files or have them directly attached.
- Payload Carriers Creation — The NuggetPhantom Trojan code can be integrated in a wide range of files. This means that when launched they will install the malware as part of their execution process. Typically this is done in the background, without the users knowing. Common types are the macro-infected documents and application installers. The documents are created in the most popular formats that are opened by office programs. On the other hand, application installers are programs that are frequently downloaded by Internet users.
- Direct Attacks — By taking advantage of the network exploits, the NuggetPhantom Trojan can be directly deployed to the target systems.
NuggetPhantom Trojan files can also be distributed to the target users as part of the execution of other viruses, this is the case with advanced planned attacks. This is done when the other virus has disabled the security measures and prepared the environment accordingly.
The virus analysis shows that this particular malware works in a modular way. This means that there is the main engine that will “call” the integrated modules and setup their interactions with the host system. There are advantages to using this approach, as this is the way most modern services work. The operating system may be fooled into thinking that this is a legitimate process by not following the typical virus activity patterns.
Along with everything else advanced copies of this malware may be programmed to start a security software bypass process that scans the local contents and searches for installed programs that may interfere with the malware installation. They can be anti-virus programs, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and virtual machine hosts. Depending on the exact configuration they can be either disabled or removed.
The virus analysis of the collected samples of this malware shows that the typical infection runs the following modules:
- Miner Script Deployment — One of the main actions done by the Trojan is the persistent installation of a cryptocurrency miner script. While most of them are run when web browser windows are opened, this script will be installed in memory and run when the computer is active and powered on. It is installed as a persistent infection, meaning that it will start when the operating system loads and prevent tampering with its processes. It is programmed to download, run, and report complex and performance-intensive mathematical tasks. They will place a heavy burden on the usability of the computers and may make it even impossible to use them in a normal manner. For every completed task the hackers will be awarded digital cryptocurrency assets directly in their wallets.
- Botnet Recruitment — The NuggetPhantom Trojan is devised to recruit the target hosts to a worldwide botnet network. It is used to launch devastating DDoS attacks against given targets. The more computers there are recruited on a given network, the more powerful and capable these attacks will be. Typically the botnet infrastructure is used or leased by hacking groups for the duration of a given campaign.
- Other Viruses Installation — NuggetPhantom Trojan instances can be programmed to install other viruses onto the victim hosts. They can be file-encrypting ransomware which is a popular “drop”.
- Trojan Functionality — This particular malware can also start the standard Trojan functions that are expected from such a virus. This allows hackers to spy on the victims, steal files, and conduct other actions on the affected computers.
Due to the fact that the NuggetPhantom Trojan can be used by different hacking groups and further modified with other functionality, we strongly advise that detected instances are removed as soon as found.
NuggetPhantom 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 NuggetPhantom 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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- Guide 1: How to Remove NuggetPhantom Trojan from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of NuggetPhantom Trojan from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove NuggetPhantom Trojan from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase NuggetPhantom Trojan from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall NuggetPhantom Trojan from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove NuggetPhantom Trojan from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate NuggetPhantom Trojan from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove NuggetPhantom Trojan from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove NuggetPhantom Trojan
Step 2: Uninstall NuggetPhantom 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 NuggetPhantom 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 NuggetPhantom 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 NuggetPhantom Trojan from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall NuggetPhantom 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 NuggetPhantom 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 NuggetPhantom Trojan files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as NuggetPhantom 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 NuggetPhantom 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 NuggetPhantom 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 NuggetPhantom 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 NuggetPhantom 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 NuggetPhantom Trojan will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate NuggetPhantom 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.
