How to remove KimJongRAT Stealer

What is KimJongRAT Stealer

KimJongRAT Stealer is a sophisticated piece of malware designed to covertly infiltrate Windows systems and steal sensitive user data. This threat operates as a remote access trojan (RAT) and information stealer, typically targeting browser credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, FTP logins, and email client data. It is known to have multiple variants, including one distributed as a traditional Portable Executable file and another leveraging PowerShell scripts for enhanced stealth and persistence. Both versions use advanced evasion techniques, such as encoded scripts, dynamic payload downloads, and abuse of trusted public services to avoid detection by security software. KimJongRAT often spreads through phishing emails, malicious shortcuts, pirated software, and deceptive advertisements, making it a widespread danger for unsuspecting users. Once installed, it can log keystrokes, monitor clipboard activity, and relay stolen information to remote attackers, potentially leading to identity theft, financial loss, and unauthorized access to online accounts. Its capability to maintain long-term access on infected machines further increases the risk of secondary attacks. Early detection and prompt removal are crucial to prevent serious privacy violations and system compromise.

How KimJongRAT Stealer infected your system

KimJongRAT Stealer is a sophisticated piece of malware designed to infiltrate computers through deceptive and covert methods. The infection typically begins with users unwittingly interacting with malicious content, such as fake Windows shortcut files (LNK) that appear benign but initiate the download of harmful components. These files may be distributed via phishing emails containing links or attachments, pirated software, tech support scams, or malicious online advertisements. Once the LNK file is executed, it downloads additional malware loaders and decoy documents, like fake PDFs, to distract the user. The malware then deploys encoded scripts and utilizes trusted services, such as public CDNs, to conceal its presence and avoid detection by security software. This stealthy and multi-faceted approach enables KimJongRAT to effectively compromise systems, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data and maintaining persistence for further exploitation.

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

Remove KimJongRAT Stealer manually

Manual removal of KimJongRAT 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 KimJongRAT 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 KimJongRAT Stealer using Autoruns

KimJongRAT 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 KimJongRAT Stealer

KimJongRAT Stealer files and folders


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KimJongRAT Stealer registry keys


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Aliases of KimJongRAT Stealer

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

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