This article has been created to help explain what is the W32/Agent virus and how to remove these types of threats from your computer effectively.
If you came to this page, you are probably wondering what I that W32/Agent infection which was recently detected on your PC. To best explain it, the W32/Agent is the actual “Agent” family name of viruses which are custom. And by custom this likely means that they do not belong to any virus family or are combination of different viruses, making them unique. When your antivirus program detects such a virus, it is likely are customized or a brand new worm, virus, spyware, miner or even a dropper for a ransomware virus. These types of malicious programs are all characterized under the W32/Agent name and they can be quite a lot. If you have the W32/Agent virus, we strongly advise you to read this article as it will explain you all there is to know about the “Agent” family of viruses and how you can remove them completely from your computer.
Threat Summary
| Name | W32/Agent |
| Type | Customized Virus / Mix of Different Malware Strains |
| Short Description | If you see a W32/Agent detection, then you should know that it is either e new threat that is custom made and does not imitate or share any other viruses’ code or is part of a combined viruses. |
| Symptoms | Symptoms can vary from unusual PC behavior to a complete block of access to your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files, Malicious web links, JavaScript files, Drive-by download, etc. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss W32/Agent. |
W32/Agent Virus How Infections Take Place
If you have the “agent virus”, chances are your computer has been infected with one of the following cyber-threats:
- Trojan Horse.
- Keylogger.
- Spyware.
- Worm.
- Virus.
- Coin miner infection.
- Ransomware.
- Downloader.
- Dropper.
- Cliker.
- Infostealer.
All of these infections detected under the “agent” family could use variety of methods to replicate on your computer. Probably the most often used method is to upload the infection files in the form of files that only pretend to be legitimate. These types of files imitate programs that the users search for. So you could say that by doing this, the crooks aim to intercept some traffic to compromised websites, where the malicious files are quitely waiting to be downloaded and infect computers.
The most often imitated programs are:
- Cracks for games, programs or other software.
- Key generators that activate different tools.
- Updates for Windows, for Drivers or different programs.
- Driver installation packages.
- Fake software setups.
- Fake portable versions of programs you might be looking to download and use.
- Fake documents, containing malicious macros.
- Patches.
In addition to this, the malicious files may also be sent to you in different forms, like via e-mail for example. If sent by e-mail, the crooks embed the file as an attachment and they often include it in a Microsoft Word document that contains malicious Macros. Below you can see how such infection takes place:
If you want to learn more about the malicious files that may be spreading such “Agent” malware infections, you can read more on the related article underneath:
Related: Most Popular Windows File Types Used by Malware (2018)
What Harm Can a W32/Agent Type of Infection Do
The malicious actions performed by such threats usually depend on the type of threat that it actually is. For instance, if the threat is ransomware that is dropped from a crafted W32/Agent virus, it may drop the ransomware’s payload and then, your files may become encrypted. Then, the ransomware would demand you to pay ransom In order to restore your files so that they can be opened again, but until then, they look crippled:
So one safety measure against these infections is to immediately get your files out of your infected machine. For a complete guide on how and where to safely store your infected files, please read the related article below:
Related: Safely Store Your Important files and Protect Them from Malware
In case however, the malware is from the Spyware or Trojan type, it may do more surveillance and information theft on your PC, so then your passwords and files are also at stake, since such information can easily be stolen. Some Trojans that belong to the banking type may obtain data from your PC. This is why in the event of such infection, changing all your exposed credentials after removal is advisable.
And of course, there are also the less dangerous threats that are related to W32/Agent type. These are often clicker Trojans or some aggressive from of adware, that uses unauthorized hack-tools to show you ads and cause browser re-directions. This cannot be directly dangerous in most cases, but it may lead to some unsafe sites, so it is recommended that you not underestimate it.
Remove W32/Agent Infections from Your PC
These types of threats can generally be removed manually, but for this to happen, you will need to have experience in how to identify the malicious files and registry objects that are modified by the threat in question and remove them manually as the instructions below show.
Since such information is generally not available, especially with “Agent” types of viruses, it is recommended that you take a more automatic approach and download an advanced anti-malware software. Such tools are often the best solution according to experts, because they are designed to try their best to scan for and remove all files and objects that are related to your specific variant of W32/Agent and in the same time they also include real-time protection against such threats.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove W32/Agent from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of W32/Agent from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove W32/Agent from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase W32/Agent from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall W32/Agent from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove W32/Agent from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate W32/Agent from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove W32/Agent from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove W32/Agent
Step 2: Uninstall W32/Agent 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 W32/Agent 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 W32/Agent 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 W32/Agent from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall W32/Agent 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 W32/Agent 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 W32/Agent files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as W32/Agent, 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 W32/Agent 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 W32/Agent 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 W32/Agent 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 W32/Agent 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 W32/Agent will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate W32/Agent 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.
