User complaints have been registered about a threat dubbed VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX. The VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX may be a false positive triggered by pirated software, or could be employed by malware. To determine the origin of the threat, a full system scan may be required.
Update October 2019. According to user reports, VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX continues to be triggering security software alarms. This means that the threat related to VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX continues to persist.
Some users have tried to delete it but unsuccessfully. Due to the threat’s behavior, people may refer to it as a virus.
Threat Summary
| Name | VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX |
| Type | False Positive, Trojan |
| Short Description | The detection may be generic or malware-related. |
| Symptoms | System alerts about detected issues. |
| Distribution Method | Unsafe browsing, hacked websites, pirated software |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool |
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX. |
Is VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX Dangerous?
According to researchers, VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX is similar to VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XZ. It is a generic detection employed by Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials. Other AV products may also detect the threat under that name. Research indicates that the tool has Trojan capabilities and may be deployed to hide the purpose of malware. As a result, your AV solution will not detect it and your system could be affected.
Security specialists warn that due to the generic characteristics of the detection, it could be about various pieces of malicious software. In other words, this detection can vary from one instance to another.
As already mentioned, due to the generic nature of the tool, its installation method can be different in different situations. The detection may often install inself by copying its executable files to the Windows or Windows system folders. Then, it can modify the registry to run this file every time the system is booted.
According to research, VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX may be able to modify the following subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Also, note that the detection may be designed to connect to a remote host. Malicious software employs remote access:
- To receive configuration and information.
- To download and execute arbitrary files such as updates or additional malware.
- To receive instructions from remote attackers.
- To upload data obtained from the infected computer.
Is VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX Detection a False Positive? How Can I Remove VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX?
Even though the tool is often associated with malware, it is not necessarily true in all occasions. In other words, VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX detections may not be malicious and can be false positives. However, to determine that, using professional software to scan the system is often required.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the beginning. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Guide 1: How to Remove VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX
Step 2: Uninstall VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX 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 VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX 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 VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX 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 VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX 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 VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX 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 VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX 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 VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX 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 VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX 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 VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX 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 VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XX 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.
