What Is PyMICROPSIA Trojan
PyMICROPSIA Trojan is a recently discovered computer malware that is spread in active attack campaigns. The infection mechanisms rely mainly on phishing emails. 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.
PyMICROPSIA Trojan Summary
| Name | PyMICROPSIA Trojan |
| 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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PyMICROPSIA Trojan – Virus Infection Methods
A newly detected Trojan called PyMICROPSIA has recently been detected in an active attack campaign. A thorough analysis of its functions is available and due to its impact on the targets, the security researchers have been able to trace its origins to a hacking group called Arid Viper. Over the years it is believed that this collective originates from Israel or another country from the Middle East and it has been responsible for different intrusion attempts against both end-users and company networks. The start of their activity is estimated to be in 2015 when they started distributing computer viruses through email messages, containing a pornographic video. It delivered a Trojan file that started gathering sensitive files, showing that a typical behavior sequence is run.
This new PyMICROPSIA Trojan is delivered using the same infection strategy and keeping the same end-user targets. the hackers prepare email messages that impersonate well-known services, friends, families, and other familiar senders. When they download the attached or linked file, the associated Trojan will be downloaded to their system. While this is the current distribution mechanism there are other possible approaches that can be undertaken by the criminal group in the future. This includes the following approaches:
- Hacker-Controlled Sites — The Trojan virus files can easily be uploaded to different sites that are operated by criminals. They are usually hosted on similar-sounding domain names to well-known and popular services. They can include stolen or appropriated content to make the visitors believe that they are accessing the real and legitimate site. By browsing it and interacting with the content the infection will happen.
- Delivered as an Payload — Other malware infections can install the PyMICROPSIA Trojan as part of their execution.
- Network Infection — Advanced attacks can occur through a network worm-like attack. This is usually done by complex malware that seeks to cause additional damage to the already-compromised machines.
PyMICROPSIA Trojan – Virus Capabilities
The current version of the PyMICROPSIA Trojan is designed to launch a series of actions once the infection has been made to the system. The fact that it is written in Python shows that it can be easily adapted to most of the popular operating systems, including mobile ones. This is a popular programming language that is cross-platform with all of these platforms. The current versions are designed to infect Windows hosts only at this moment, but this can quickly change in upcoming versions. Preparations for this appear to have already been made as the virus code includes calls to POSIX systems.
The current versions of this Trojan have the ability to hijack information from the compromised computers. This encompasses both sensitive user’s data and data about the system itself. It can be used in crimes such as identity and financial theft or blackmail. Any system information that is collected by the malware can be used to generate an identifier — it itself can be used to count the number of affected computers, this ID may also be placed in the ransom notes or lock screen instances.
Information including file listing can be hijacked by the malware, this can be used as part of the surveillance module. The virus has many capabilities in this regard that allow the hacker controllers to effectively take over control of the devices and spy on the victims. The criminals may record the audio via the built-in microphones, watch the webcam, know what keyboard keys are pressed and the mouse movement. All of this can be transmitted to the hackers immediately via the local agent.
As part of the data hijacking and manipulation processes the Trojan is fully capable of deleting, renaming, copying, and moving data. This can cause serious issues when the computer is used by the victims. The stolen files can also be compressed (using the popular RAR and ZIP algorithms) to create smaller-size files before they are transferred to the criminals. The data that is stolen can also come from Microsoft Outlook and other productivity software. This means that information about other entities can also be collected. Application data that is usually considered for collection by such viruses include web browser files — any stored cookies, history, preferences, and even stored credentials can be stolen and abused further by the hackers. The file analysis shows that the virus is capable of also interacting with any removable storage devices or network shares.
The deep infection caused by the PyMICROPSIA Trojan also allow for various system changes to be made, including the following:
- Power Events — At any time the hackers can issue commands to shut down or reboot the computers.
- Commands Execution — All kind of actions can be executed, including ones to individually users-installed applications or services of the operating system.
- Process Manipulation — One of the dangerous consequences of having this infection installed and running on a machine is that it can bypass the deployed security mechanisms. This can include anti-virus programs, intrusion prevention systems, firewalls, virtual machine hosts, and etc.
Depending on the individual hacker configuration this virus may be used to install other threats, a common example is the delivery of file-encrypting ransomware. They will use a strong cipher to process target user’s files and make them inaccessible. While the attacks with the PyMICROPSIA Trojan infection are still not so much prevalent at a worldwide scale, however, if it is launched against more users it can prove to be very dangerous.
PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove PyMICROPSIA Trojan from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of PyMICROPSIA Trojan from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove PyMICROPSIA Trojan from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase PyMICROPSIA Trojan from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall PyMICROPSIA Trojan from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove PyMICROPSIA Trojan from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate PyMICROPSIA Trojan from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove PyMICROPSIA Trojan from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove PyMICROPSIA Trojan
Step 2: Uninstall PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA Trojan from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA Trojan files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA 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 PyMICROPSIA Trojan will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate PyMICROPSIA 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.
