How to remove Elusive Stealer

What is Elusive Stealer

Elusive Stealer, also known as Statc Stealer in some contexts, is a sophisticated malware that targets devices running Windows operating systems. Its primary function is to infiltrate computer systems and exfiltrate sensitive information. Elusive Stealer is a type of malware categorized as an “info stealer.” It is designed to stealthily collect and transmit sensitive data from an infected computer to a command-and-control (C&C) server operated by cybercriminals. The data targeted by this malware includes login credentials, cookies, web data, preferences from various web browsers, cryptocurrency wallet information, credentials, passwords, and data from messaging apps like Telegram. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Elusive Stealer, including its infection mechanisms, the types of data it targets, and the steps users can take to remove it from their systems. Removing Elusive Stealer from an infected device requires a comprehensive approach due to its stealthy nature and the sophisticated evasion techniques it employs.

How Elusive Stealer infected your system

The infection process of Elusive Stealer involves several steps, starting with an initial dropper. This dropper typically masquerades as a legitimate software installer, such as a PDF installer, alongside a downloader binary file. The downloader binary then executes a PowerShell script to download the Elusive Stealer malware. To the unsuspecting user, these files appear benign, but once executed, they initiate the data theft process. Elusive Stealer employs various evasion techniques to avoid detection and analysis. It uses HTTPS encryption to conceal its communication with the C&C server, making its activities less noticeable. Additionally, it performs filename discrepancy checks to inhibit sandbox detection and reverse engineering by researchers. This makes it challenging for security professionals to analyze and understand the malware’s behavior.

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

Remove Elusive Stealer manually

Manual removal of Elusive 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 Elusive 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 Elusive Stealer using Autoruns

Elusive 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 Elusive Stealer

Elusive Stealer files and folders


{randomname}.exe


Elusive Stealer registry keys


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Aliases of Elusive Stealer

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

Standard Windows protection or any decent third-party antivirus (Norton, Avast, Kaspersky) should be able to detect and remove Elusive Stealer. However, if you got infected with Elusive Stealer with existing and updated security software, you may consider changing it. To feel safe and protect your PC from Elusive 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: