How to remove Ghostly Stealer

What is Ghostly Stealer

Ghostly Stealer is a type of Remote Access Trojan (RAT) malware that grants cybercriminals unauthorized access to a victim’s computer. Unlike traditional malware, Ghostly Stealer operates stealthily, without the knowledge or consent of the user, making it particularly dangerous. It is designed to steal a wide range of sensitive information, including login credentials, financial data, personal documents, and more. The stolen data is then transmitted to a remote server controlled by the attacker, potentially leading to identity theft, financial loss, and compromised security. To eliminate the Ghostly Stealer malware from infected computers, it is essential to follow a comprehensive approach that ensures all traces of the infection are removed and future security breaches are prevented. Begin by conducting a full system scan using a reliable antivirus program to detect and isolate any malicious files associated with the Ghostly Stealer. Once identified, these files should be quarantined and then permanently deleted from the system to prevent further damage. Next, update all software, including the operating system and applications, to close any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware. Changing all passwords and implementing two-factor authentication where possible will help secure the system against future attacks. Additionally, review all system settings and network configurations to undo any changes made by the malware, such as altered DNS settings or unauthorized remote access setups.

How Ghostly Stealer infected your system

The infection process of Ghostly Stealer typically begins with social engineering tactics, such as phishing emails or malicious websites. Attackers disguise the malware as legitimate software or embed it within seemingly innocuous files, tricking users into downloading and executing the malicious payload. Once executed, Ghostly Stealer establishes a connection to a command and control (C2) server, allowing the attacker to remotely control the infected system. Ghostly Stealer employs various techniques to evade detection and maintain persistence on the compromised system. It can scan the system to determine if it is running inside a virtual machine and check for the presence of antivirus software. By utilizing encryption and steganography, Ghostly Stealer obfuscates its functions and hides its communication with the C2 server, making it challenging for traditional security solutions to detect and remove the malware.

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

Remove Ghostly Stealer manually

Manual removal of Ghostly 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 Ghostly 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 Ghostly Stealer using Autoruns

Ghostly 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 Ghostly Stealer

Ghostly Stealer files and folders


{randomname}.exe


Ghostly Stealer registry keys


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Aliases of Ghostly Stealer

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

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