What is NukeSped? How to remove NukeSped Trojan from your PC or Mac?
The NukeSped Trojan is a dangerous malware threat which is designed mainly for Microsoft Windows computers. It can be acquired from various sources, every attack campaign can focus on one specific tactic. Usually virus infections like this one are made by interacting with an infected file — this can be either a macro-infected document or a hacker-made software installer. They are often made by taking the legitimate files from their official sources and modifying them with the necessary virus code. Other data can also be affected. All kinds of other data may be used as well — this includes malicious plugins for web browsers and etc. In other cases the hackers can use a direct attacks that will look for system vulnerabilities and weaknesses. If any are found then the NukeSped Trojan will be installed.
This particular threat is known for being spread using a multitude of weaknesses. It is set against both end users and servers. After the infection has been made the NukeSped Trojan can download other threats, launch multiple dangerous modules and install a cryptocurrency miner which will run a sequence of performance-demanding tasks.
Threat Summary
| Name | NukeSped Trojan |
| Type | Malware, Trojan, Miner |
| Short Description | A dangerous malware which can launch a miner and start a Trojan module. |
| Symptoms | The victims may notice performance issues and can get infected with other malware. |
| Distribution Method | Common distribution tactics and direct web attacks. |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss NukeSped Trojan. |
NukeSped Trojan — How Did I Get It
The NukeSped Trojan is a malware which is being launched by an experienced hacking group which is believed to be operating from North Korea. It is very possible that some of its components have been taken from previous threats. It is very possible that the group is experienced and it has carried out extensive attack campaigns in the past. Several samples of the threat have been identified.
There is no information available about the main distribution technique however we suspect that the main ones can be used:
- Phishing Strategies — The criminals can send out email messages or make scam sites that will impersonate well-known services or companies. By interacting with them the recipients and site visitors will get infected with the NukeSped Trojan. They are commonly hosted on similar sounding domain names and may include stolen/fake design and self-signed security certificates.
- Macro-Infected Documents — The hacking collective will create documents that contain malware macros that when run will install the Trojan. They can be of all popular formats: presentations, databases, text files and spreadsheets.
- Application Installers — They are malware-infected setup of popular software which are often downloaded and installed by end users: productivity tools, office programs, creativity suites and etc.
- Social Networks — Using fake or hacked profiles links to the malware files or malware copies of the Trojan can be either publicly shared or posted in groups, private messages and on different pages.
- Web Browser Extensions — The other popular method is to create malware extensions for the most popular web browsers. They are commonly uploaded to their relevant repositories with fake user reviews and developer accounts. They are often accompanied with elaborate descriptions that will promise feature additions or performance updates.
NukeSped Trojan — Capabilities
When the NukeSped Trojan has been deployed on a given computer a dangerous behavior pattern will be started. One of the first actions which are started by the main engine will be an advanced stealth protection action which will attempt to hide the infection from the operating system and any installed security engines. Following this the Trojan will then be installed as a service which categorizes it as a persistent threat. This will run it every time the computer is powered on. In most cases this will also disable access to the recovery boot options making it very hard to remove such threats.
As a typical Trojan it will establish a secure connection with a server that is controlled by the hackers. This will allow them to carry out common malware activities such as the following:
- User Data Access — By having access to the infected computers the hackers will also be able to hijack data, including sensitive user files.
- Remote Control — The criminals will be able to take over control of the computers at any time.
- Spying of Users — The active NukeSped Trojan can be used to spy on the victims by giving the hackers the ability to spy on the users actions and input.
All the classic Trojan actions are implemented including files interaction — iteration of the file contents, as well as downloading and uploading of data. The Trojan can interact with other processes, hookup to them and read the output which can be transmitted to the hackers. Information gathering is also done — the virus can harvest data about the users and also the installed hardware parts. This is used to create an unique ID for each compromised machine. Any other components can be installed and run depending on the local conditions or specific hacker instructions.
How to Remove NukeSped Trojan
In order to fully remove NukeSped from your computer system, we recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. If the first two manual removal steps do not seem to work and you still see NukeSped or programs, related to it, we suggest what most security experts advise – to download and run a scan of your computer with a reputable anti-malware program. Downloading this software will not only save you some time, but will remove all of NukeSped files and programs related to it and will protect your computer against such intrusive apps and malware 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.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove NukeSped Trojan from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of NukeSped Trojan from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove NukeSped Trojan from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase NukeSped Trojan from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall NukeSped Trojan from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove NukeSped Trojan from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate NukeSped Trojan from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove NukeSped Trojan from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove NukeSped Trojan
Step 2: Uninstall NukeSped 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 NukeSped 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 NukeSped 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 NukeSped Trojan from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall NukeSped 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 NukeSped 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 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 NukeSped 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 NukeSped 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 NukeSped 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 NukeSped 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 NukeSped Trojan will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate NukeSped 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.
