Do you know what Godzilla Loader is?
Godzilla Loader is a clandestine Trojan that, according to our malware research team, can use phishing or spam emails to slither into unguarded operating systems. Such emails usually have highly misleading subject lines and messages to trick the receiver into opening attached files or included links to execute the infection without even knowing about it. Unfortunately, it appears that the threat has the functionality to evade detection by certain security systems, and so it could, potentially, attack systems that appear to be protected at first. At the time of research, the main goal for this malware was to drop additional malware payload. After downloading it, the Trojan was set to delete itself. Unfortunately, in its place, other malicious threats could be found. Needless to say, you need to remove Godzilla Loader (if it fails to do so automatically) and all other threats that could be dropped by it.
It was reported that Godzilla Loader is currently being sold on the black market for mere $500. This might seem like a substantial sum to some, but hackers and cyber criminals are usually willing to pay much more than that. At the time of analysis, the loader was not fully established, and it is obvious that the creator is still perfecting it and adding more functionality. This is bad news because the stronger and more functional it gets, the more popular it is likely to become amongst cyber criminals. Depending on who purchases this threat, it could be used to drop all kinds of malicious threats. However, it is most likely to drop ransomware. Ransomware is the kind of malware that pushes the owners of infected systems to pay money in return for something that they might think they need. Some ransomware infections are completely “empty,” and victims should think of nothing else but their removal. Unfortunately, in most cases, this malware performs file encryption, and then a ransom is demanded in return for a decryptor. A few examples of this kind of malware are ChaCha Ransomware, getdataback@fros.cc Ransomware, and Skymap Ransomware. All of them must be deleted as soon as possible.
Our research team warns that while Godzilla Loader is primarily used as a malware downloader/dropper, it also could be employed to work as a keylogger. Do you know what a keylogger is? It is a tool that logs the keystrokes from your keyboard to record sensitive information. While keyloggers might have no use for the information you type when writing an email to your loved ones, it can be very dangerous when you type in passwords, usernames, and other login credentials. This information can be exploited by cyber attackers to hijack your accounts. In one scenario, for example, if the attackers gained full access to your personal email account, they could use your name to send corrupted emails to spread Godzilla Loader further. Of course, this is just a presumption, but the possibilities are endless and cyber criminals are unpredictable.
Although Godzilla Loader should delete itself, we cannot guarantee that the infection will not fail to do that. Therefore, although you might be focusing on the removal of the threats dropped by the malicious Trojan, you must not forget to erase all suspicious files and check for malware executables in %PROGRAMFILES%. It goes without saying that identifying malware can be tough, which is why we do not recommend doing it without help. If you want to, you can start with a free malware scanner. It will help you identify the threats that require removal. We recommend installing anti-malware software right away. It will automatically find and delete Godzilla Loader if it persists, and it will also strengthen your system’s protection, which is crucial.
Remove Godzilla Loader
- Launch Windows Explorer by tapping keys Win+E on the keyboard.
- Type %PROGRAMFILES% into the quick access field.
- If you find any malware-related .exe files, Delete them immediately.
- Inspect your operating system using a legitimate malware scanner to find what was dropped.
- Look up manual removal guides on this website or employ an automated anti-malware tool to delete the additionally dropped infections.
In non-techie terms:
Godzilla Loader is an invisible threat, and most victims might not even know that it had invaded their systems. Once in, it downloads malware from a remote server, and then it deletes itself. Before that, the threat can also act as a keylogger to record sensitive information. Ultimately, the threat slithers in, makes a mess, and disappears. To prevent the malicious downloader Trojan from slithering in, you need to be very cautious about the emails you open because it was found that spam/phishing emails are most likely to be used for the distribution of this threat. If it drops malware successfully, removing it might be most important, but you must not forget to check if you do not need to delete Godzilla Loader leftovers as well. A reliable malware scanner can be very helpful in this situation, but we encourage you to employ anti-malware software that could erase malware and protect your system at the same time.