Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] is a Trojan horse that was discovered a couple of years ago. However, new attacks initiated by the Trojan have been just detected in the wild.
| Name | Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] |
| Type | Trojan Horse, Worm |
| Short Description | The threat may create a shortcut of a file and then hide it. |
| Symptoms | Alerts by the AV software, is such is present on the system. |
| Distribution Method | Infected external memory devices, torrent clients, pirated software, spam, zero-day vulnerabilities. |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] |
Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] Threat Description. Similarities with Other Malware
Some users may refer to the threat as a shortcut virus. Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] has been reported to create a shortcut of a file and then hide it.
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Types of Trojan Attacks
According to research, Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] may come from the family of the TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 virus. The virus itself is closely related to the ZeroAccess rootkit. Since Trojan horses can be employed as backdoors or malware droppers, there is a possibility that Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] has been used to spread the virus. However, more information is needed to confirm that. One way to know that your system has been affected by a malicious threat from the Atraps family is if you have witnessed the following alert:
→“Access to file containing the virus or unwanted program ‘TR/ATRAPS.Gen2’ was blocked”
Users should keep in mind that malware from the Atraps family has been circulating for several years. It’s only logical that the threats have many new and updated variants, with multiple functionality modifications to improve the persistence of the infection.
TR/ATRAPS.Gen2 has been reported to have kernel-mode rootkit capabilities. It can hide itself on the targeted machine, be it 32 or 64-bit. It also has aggressive self-defense capabilities. Overall, the threat has been identified as quite malicious and sophisticated.
It seems that Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] is a variant of the malware family that has been written especially for 32-bit Windows. Now, let’s see how the threat is distributed.
Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] Distribution Technique
Malware classified as a Trojan horse, virus or rootkit is primarily distributed through:
- Infected external memory devices – USB drives, CDs, etc.
- P2P networks and file sharing – such as torrents.
- Spam emails and corrupted email attachments.
- Zero-day vulnerabilities.
In particular, Trojans and viruses seem to prefer being spread via exploit kits and programs that are associated with software-piracy – keygens and cracks mostly. In that sense, users who tend to use such pieces of counterfeit software are more endangered. However, any machine that doesn’t support one or more AV solutions is at risk of a malicious intrusion.
In addition, Trojans such as Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] may be dropped or installed by other malicious software. The vice versa scenario is also probable – Trojans may be employed to spread adware and potentially unwanted program. The end goal of the whole procedure of infection may be to carry out click fraud and generate income for the botnet authors.
Here is a list of possible Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] detections:
- Exploit.CplLnk.Gen.2
- Exploit.CVE-2010-2568.Gen
- Exploit.Cpllnk
- LNK/Autostart.A
- Worm/Win32.Bundpil
- Worm.Win32.Bundpil.T
- Win32:Atraps-PZ
- win32 Atraps-PF
- Win32.Troj.Generic.a.(kcloud)
- Downloader-FKP!4963B9D65B37
Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] Removal Options
There are cases of users who have removed the Trojan only to find out that it re-appeared after a while. It is clear that the infection is quite intrusive and persistent. To completely eradicate it, an AV software specialized in removing spyware threats is required.
What you can do is first scan your Registry via specialized registry cleaner program. Then apply an AV scanner. The step-by-step removal guide below the article may be tried as well. However, keep in mind that this particular Trojan can be stealthier than other Trojans. Using professional tools to eliminate it completely is recommended.
Step 1: Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan].
Removing Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] from Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Removing Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] from Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Substep 1:
Open the Start Menu
Substep 2:
Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Substep 3:
After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.
Substep 4:
You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.
Substep 5:
After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Substep 6:
Click on Restart.
Substep 7:
A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart and boot into Safe Mode so you can scan for and remove Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan].
Step 2: Remove Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] associated objects.
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 Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan]
Step 2: Uninstall Win32:Atraps-PZ[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 Win32:Atraps-PZ[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 Win32:Atraps-PZ[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 Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Win32:Atraps-PZ[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 Win32:Atraps-PZ[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 Win32:Atraps-PZ[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 Win32:Atraps-PZ[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 Win32:Atraps-PZ[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 Win32:Atraps-PZ[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 Win32:Atraps-PZ[Trojan] will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Win32:Atraps-PZ[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.
