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Remove PoetRAT Trojan From Your PC

PoetRAT Trojan imageWhat is PoetRAT? How to remove PoetRAT Trojan from your PC or Mac?

The PoetRAT Trojan is a malware threat categorized as a remote control Trojan. This virus is known for being spread using email messages set against industry networks. After the infection has been made the PoetRAT Trojan can launch multiple dangerous modules, sabotage the networks and steal files. It is rated as an advanced Trojan and it can easily spread to large networks.

Threat Summary

Name PoetRAT Trojan
Type Malware, Trojan
Short Description A dangerous malware which can launch different components 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.
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PoetRAT Trojan — Overview

The PoetRAT Trojan has been identified in a targeted campaign that is set against companies in the energy sector. Given the fact that the Trojan targets such networks and is in active distribution shows that the criminal collective behind it is experienced to have created it. It is very likely that the hackers have carefully reviewed how the companies worked in order to have devised a way to effectively infect them. According to the available information there have been many PoetRAT Trojan infected documents which use the typical macro strategy. The hackers will embed a small script that will lead to the virus installation in commonly used document formats: presentations, text documents, spreadsheets and databases. When they are opened by the intended victims a prompt will be shown to them asking for these scripts to be executed. This will activate the infection on the computer. Following the route of infection it appears that the PoetRAT Trojan campaign not only is set against the public and private computer networks, but also SCADA systems. They are primarily used in production environments.

The initial payload infections were caused by exploits, phishing email messages and a several scrips written in cross-platform programming languages. The campaign features several distinct messages, the first one appears to have been launched in February this year. It featured a series of blurred pictures which are presented to the victims. One of the pictures is a logo of the Defense Research and Development Organization of India. This will lure in the victims into interacting with it. This is also evident that the attackers also targets Indian companies and services. Two separate documents were sent in April this year which used Coronavirus themed contents. Links to hacker-created phishing sites and scripts using other methods and strategies have also been detected.

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When the document scripts are started a special dropper will be started. It will load itself into memory and the whole malware package (in a ZIP container): a local Python interpreter and the actual code written in Python. The document will also download a separate script which will be launched triggering a security bypass feature. It is designed to check if the contaminated computer is not a sandbox or virtual machine. If this check passes as positive then the Trojan will delete itself in order to protect itself from discovery.

The Trojan will proceed by starting a local client module which will establish a connection to a hacker-controlled server allowing remote access and commands execution. There are several malicious actions which are run by the Trojan in accordance to the built-in sequence as devised by the hackers:

  • System Information Gathering — This is done to gather important system information, operating system values and sensitive information about the victim users.
  • Remote Command Execution — The hackers can trigger the running of local commands on the infected devices. This can range from system reconfiguration to sabotage.
  • Files Manipulation & Theft — The malware can be used to steal files, delete them or edit the contents of important documents.
  • The main purpose of the PoetRAT Trojan is to allow the hackers to overtake control of the machines and to start a complex infection process. A distinct part of this malware’s operation is the ability to deploy and run other post-exploitation tools. This includes an accessory program that will monitor the keystrokes and mouse movement of the users. This is used to steal credentials as they are entered on the various sites. The Trojan has also been found to be able to gather data recorded in the web browsers and other related tools.

    The collected samples also feature other tools which can be used by the hackers during their remote hijack sessions — this includes an open-source program used to exploit the systems and lead to privilege escalation and a network scanning tool.

    How to Remove PoetRAT Trojan

    In order to fully remove PoetRAT 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 PoetRAT 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 PoetRAT 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.

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    Preparation before removing PoetRAT 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 PoetRAT Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

    1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.


    It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.


    2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

    SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 1


    3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

    SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 2


    4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

    SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 3

    If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

    Step 2: Clean any registries, created by PoetRAT 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 PoetRAT Trojan there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:


    1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
    Remove Virus Trojan Step 6


    2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
    Remove Virus Trojan Step 7


    3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
    Remove Virus Trojan Step 8 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 PoetRAT 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.

    Remove Virus Trojan Step 9

    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.

    Remove Virus Trojan Step 10

    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:

    file extension malicious

    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.

    Remove Virus Trojan

    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.

    Remove Virus Trojan Step 11

    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.

    PoetRAT Trojan FAQ

    What Does PoetRAT Trojan Trojan Do?

    The PoetRAT 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 PoetRAT 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 PoetRAT 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 PoetRAT 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 PoetRAT Trojan Research

    The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PoetRAT 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 PoetRAT 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 PoetRAT Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.

    To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.

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