What Is Poulight Trojan
The Poulight Trojan is a devastating malware which is designed to infect modern operating systems. It can be launched by multiple hacking groups and includes sophisticated features that can be used to infiltrate company networks.
Poulight Trojan Summary
| Name | Poulight Trojan |
| Type | Trojan/Keylogger |
| 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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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Poulight Trojan. |
Poulight Trojan – Virus Infection Methods
The Poulight Trojan is a dangerous malware of the Trojan category which is used by hacking groups in devastating worldwide attacks. From the available information it is presumed that it originates from Russia and advertised on hacking groups. The developers of the malware have been found to offer it as a tool for rent on various underground communities.
The threat is written in the .NET framework which is compatible with all modern operating systems — Microsoft Windows, Linux and macOS. It can be offered to different hacking groups for a payment that can be set depending on the built-in functionality. This is standard in such offering models — various hacking groups can purchase a ready-to-use tool or pay for additional functions based on their intended targets.
At the moment the active campaign is focused on infecting computer users via phishing emails. Right now the main theme which is used by the hackers is the sending out of Microsoft Word document attachments in messages that are related to the popular Minecraft computer game. The files are named Minecraft how to play guide.docm and when opened will prompt the users to enable the built-in macros. If this is done the delivery mechanism will be activated.
This will launch a Command prompt window which will be scripted to run a second PowerShell command which will download the payload from a remote hacker-controlled server. It will be deployed in a file called mess.exe and will be launched afterwards.
It is very possible that future infections can be distributed using other methods:
- Virus-Infected Files — The malware code can be placed in various types of files including application installers. They are of software that is frequently installed by end users and can range from creativity suites and productivity tools to complex enterprise solutions and even computer games.
- Browser Hijackers — These are web browser plugins which are designed to change the settings of the compatible software. This is done in order to always link and open a hacker-controlled site, usually a redirect which will lead to the virus file.
- Hacker-Controlled Sites and Media — The virus can be delivered to the target users using various websites and content placed in them. This includes any text links, pop-ups, banners and other types of media. Commonly they are hosted on domain names that sound very similar to well-known companies and services.
Poulight Trojan – Virus Capabilities
The virus engine will be loaded by the initial mess.exe loader. It will deliver two main executables which are stored in an internal RCDATA resource — they are stored in the temporary data operating system folder. From there they will be executed using a Shell execution method.
They will lead to the deployment of two further files. One of it is a fake error message loader which will present a dialog box presenting a message to the users. At the moment the displayed message is written in Turkish.
The other file which is run in the background will start the the actual Poulight Trojan infection. This will start the prerecorded sequence on the host computer. The first action which will be run by the Trojan will be to launch a security bypass function. It will search for any installed security applications and services and bypass or block them. This can include anti-virus programs, firewalls, intrusion detection systems and etc. In the case of the collected samples this works against virtual machine hosts and sandbox environments. This includes the following: VIRTUAL, vmware, VirtualBox, Comodo sandbox, Avast sandbox, Sandboxie and Avast Sandbox.
The virus engine will create files in system folders such as the following: Desktop, AppData, Local AppData and Documents. In them the virus will store its configuration files and additional resources which are required to run the integrated modules. When the threat is instituted as a persistent infection which is the following step the virus will make the necessary changes in order to make it very hard to remove. An additional configuration variable will make it possible to automatically start the Trojan when the computer is powered on.
The next function which is called is related to data collection — this can include both personal user information as well as detailed machine metrics. Based on the harvested results the engine was found to be able to hijack data such as the username of the user, the machine ID assigned by the operating system and also hardware details that include the processor and video controller identification.
The information will be stored in folders operated by the malware engine and collected in text files. The next step during the malware execution will be to start harvesting data from user-installed applications. The list includes the following types of data that will be automatically obtained:
- Webcam Control Software
- Sensitive Documents
- Filezilla Credentials
- Social Media Software and Services
- Cryptocurrency Wallets and Software Credentials
- Web Browser Data
- Clipboard Data
All collected information will be archived in a single ZIP archive and then uploaded to the hacker-controlled server specified in the Trojan’s configuration. This same connection is used to take over control of the victim machines and run other malware actions.
In future versions other malware actions can also be included such as the following:
- Additional Malware Delivery — The existing Poulight Trojan virus can be used to install other viruses on the compromised systems. Examples include file encrypting ransomware — they will encrypt target user data with a strong cipher and then extort the victims for a ransomware payment. Such web threats also include cryptocurrency miners which will download a sequence of performance-intensive tasks that will take a heavy load on the most important system components. For every task the hackers will be rewarded with cryptocurrency assets directly into their wallets.
- Windows Registry Changes — The main Trojan will create and edit out values that are found in the Windows Registry. This will lead to unexpected errors, performance issues and the inability to launch certain services or applications.
At any time the malware can change its behavior pattern. For this reason we recommend that it is removed as fast as possible to avoid any additional damage to your computer.
Poulight 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 separate this malware first of all and after that remove it’s destructive files. If you lack the 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 Poulight 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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Preparation before removing Poulight 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 Poulight Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Poulight 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 Poulight 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.Step 3: Find virus files created by Poulight 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.
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.
Poulight Trojan FAQ
What Does Poulight Trojan Trojan Do?
The Poulight 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 Poulight 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 Poulight 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 a factory reset.
Can Poulight 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 Poulight Trojan Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Poulight 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 Poulight 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 Poulight Trojan threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.