How to remove Acreed Stealer

What is Acreed Stealer

Acreed Stealer is a rapidly emerging information-stealing malware that has quickly become one of the most prevalent threats to Windows users, rivaling notorious stealers like Lumma and Rhadamanthys. Designed to covertly infiltrate systems, it targets sensitive data such as passwords, browser cookies, autofill information, cryptocurrency wallets, credit card details, and messaging app credentials. Once inside a device, Acreed Stealer scans for both system-installed and browser-based crypto wallet extensions, including popular ones like MetaMask, Coinbase, and Trust Wallet, and exfiltrates stored assets or wallet addresses. It leverages advanced evasion techniques, including delivery via ShadowLoader and the use of legitimate DLL files, to bypass security defenses and remain undetected. Additionally, the malware can hijack cryptocurrency transactions by altering wallet addresses copied to the clipboard or entered into web forms, redirecting funds to attacker-controlled wallets. Acreed Stealer’s command-and-control (C2) infrastructure is managed through unconventional public sources, such as blockchain smart contracts and social media posts, making takedown efforts more difficult. Its distribution methods include malicious email attachments, compromised software downloads, exploit kits, and social engineering campaigns. Due to its stealthy nature and broad data theft capabilities, Acreed Stealer poses a significant risk of financial loss and privacy breaches for both individual users and organizations.

How Acreed Stealer infected your system

Acreed Stealer infiltrates computers primarily through a sophisticated infection chain involving a loader known as ShadowLoader. This loader can be delivered to systems via various vectors, such as pirated software, malicious advertisements, scam emails, or software vulnerabilities. Once executed, ShadowLoader drops two Portable Executable (PE) files wrapped with a legitimate WebView2 DLL, which assists the malware in evading detection by security software. These files are then used to inject Acreed into the system discreetly. Additionally, Acreed leverages unusual public sources for its command-and-control (C2) information, such as smart contracts on the BNB Smartchain Testnet and posts on platforms like Steam, further complicating detection and removal efforts. To mitigate such threats, it is crucial for users to maintain updated security software, avoid interacting with suspicious content, and exercise caution when downloading files from untrusted sources.

1. Download Acreed Stealer Removal Tool
2. Use Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool to remove Acreed Stealer
3. Use Autoruns to remove Acreed Stealer
4. Files, folders and registry keys of Acreed Stealer
5. Other aliases of Acreed Stealer
6. How to protect from threats, like Acreed Stealer

Remove Acreed Stealer manually

Manual removal of Acreed Stealer by inexperienced users may become a difficult task because it does not create entries in Add/Remove Programs under Control Panel, does not install browser extensions, and uses random file names. However, there are pre-installed instruments in the Windows system, that allow you to detect and remove malware without using third-party applications. One of them is Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. It comes with Windows Update in Windows 11, 10, 8. 8.1. For older operating system you can download it here: 64-bit version | 32-bit version.

Remove Acreed Stealer using Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

1. Type mrt in the search box near Start Menu.
2. Run mrt clicking on found item.
3. Click Next button.
4. Choose one of the scan modes Quick scan, Full scan, Customize scan (Full scan recommended).
5. Click Next button.
6. Click on View detailed results of the scan link to view the scan details.
7. Click Finish button.

Remove Acreed Stealer using Autoruns

Acreed Stealer often sets up to run at Windows startup as an Autorun entry or Scheduled task.

1. Download Autoruns using this link.
2. Extract the archive and run Autoruns.exe file.
3. In Options menu make sure there are checkboxes near Hide Empty Locations, Hide Microsoft Entries, and Hide Windows Entries.
4. Search for suspicious entries with weird names or running from locations like: C:\{username}\AppData\Roaming.
5. Right-click on suspicious entry and choose Delete. This will prevent the threat to run at startup.
6. Switch to Scheduled Tasks tab and do the same.
7. To remove files themselves, click on suspicious entries and choose Jump to Entry…. Remove files or registry keys found.

Remove files, folder and registry keys of Acreed Stealer

Acreed Stealer files and folders


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Acreed Stealer registry keys


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Aliases of Acreed Stealer

How to protect from threats, like Acreed Stealer, in future

Standard Windows protection or any decent third-party antivirus (Norton, Avast, Kaspersky) should be able to detect and remove Acreed Stealer. However, if you got infected with Acreed Stealer with existing and updated security software, you may consider changing it. To feel safe and protect your PC from Acreed Stealer on all levels (browser, e-mail attachments, Word or Excel scripts, file system) we recommend a leading provider of internet security solutions – BitDefender. Its solutions both for home and business users proved to be one of the most advanced and effective. Choose and get your BitDefender protection via the button below:

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