Plasma RAT Removal Guide

Do you know what Plasma RAT is?

Computer security specialists say Plasma RAT might be an extremely dangerous Trojan and it should be removed from the system the moment it is detected. From what we have learned while testing this malicious application it seems it may allow hackers gain access to the infected computer. Sadly, if it happens cybercriminals using the malware can perform a lot of various tasks, such as watch the user, read the messages he writes, execute, create, delete, or download files, and so on. Also, the threat could be used to mine various cryptocurrencies. The worst part is the user might not realize what is happening since the version of Plasma RAT we tested can not only work silently in the background but also hide from antivirus tools. However, if you keep reading the article, we will explain how to recognize or find the malware. Additionally, at the end of the text, we will place a step by step removal guide, although keep it in mind to delete this infection entirely it might be necessary to scan the system with a reputable antimalware tool as well; we will explain why it is so just in a bit.

Plasma RAT is not an open source application, but it is said its code was leaked on the Internet and as a result, there could be a few other possible versions of it. Because of this, there is a chance the removal guide located below may not allow you to erase all data associated with the Trojan since there could be a few versions of it and separate variants may create a different amount of data. This is the reason why it might be necessary to scan the system with an antimalware tool too.

What’s more, the hackers who download Plasma RAT can personalize the threat a bit. For example, the cybercriminals can pick the installation name, location, and so on. Of course, they can also choose where to distribute this infection. Consequently, there are quite a few possible distribution channels, for example, the malicious application could be spread via Spam email attachments, unreliable software installers, suspicious pop-up ads, etc. Thus, it looks like the only way to avoid it is to stay away from questionable emails, pirated software, untrustworthy freeware, torrent-and other file-sharing web pages, annoying advertisements or any ads displayed on doubtful web pages, and so on.

Once the Trojan’s installer is launched the threat might create an executable file in the %APPDATA%\SysWOW64 or %APPDATA%\SysWOW32 directories. The malicious executable could be titled randomly or after a legitimate Windows file or service. In other words, the malware’s data might imitate legitimate files. To hide from the user Plasma RAT may disable the option for hidden files and folders, so the user would not see the malicious file in the File Explorer. Then, the infection is supposed to create a few Registry entries under Run and RunOnce keys to make the computer launch the malicious application with each restart. The last thing it needs to do to settle in is creating specific Registry entries, for example, HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\{executable name}:: Debugger, that would allow it to hide from antimalware tools as well.

Nonetheless, if you take a look at the removal guide available below, it will show you how to enable the Show hidden files and folders option so you would be able to see the data created by Plasma RAT. Besides, the steps will explain where to search for the files created by the malware. As said before, after completing the provided steps it is advisable to scan the system with a reputable antimalware tool and so get rid of other malicious application’s files that could be still on the system. Keep it in mind if you leave this threat unattended the hackers using it could use the computer to mine cryptocurrencies, spy on you, steal sensitive data, place more dangerous software on it, etc., so for yours and the system’s safety, it is best to erase it immediately.

Enable Show Hidden Files and Folders

Windows 8 & 10

  1. Press Windows Key+E.
  2. Choose the View tab and click on Options.
  3. Select change folder and search options.
  4. Click on the View tab and mark Show hidden files, folders and drives.
  5. Click OK.

Windows 7 & Vista

  1. Go to Start and open Control Panel.
  2. Select Appearance and Personalization.
  3. Go to Folder Options and click the View tab.
  4. Select Show hidden files, folders and drives.
  5. Press OK.

Windows XP

  1. Navigate to Start and open Control Panel.
  2. Choose Appearance and Themes.
  3. Select Folder options and go to the View tab.
  4. Choose Show hidden files and folders.
  5. Press OK.

Eliminate Plasma RAT

  1. Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete simultaneously.
  2. Pick Task Manager.
  3. Take a look at the Processes tab.
  4. Locate a process related to this malicious program.
  5. Select this process and press the End Task button.
  6. Press Windows Key+E.
  7. Navigate to %APPDATA%\SysWOW64 and %APPDATA%\SysWOW32
  8. Look for suspicious executable files, for example, fake legitimate Windows files, randomly titled data, etc.
  9. Right-click the suspected files and press Delete.
  10. Close File Explorer.
  11. Press Windows Key+R.
  12. Type Regedit and select OK.
  13. Navigate to these locations:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
    HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
  14. Look for suspicious value names that could belong to the malware.
  15. Right-click the suspected value names and select Delete.
  16. Then go to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
  17. Look for malicious value names created by the Trojan.
  18. Right-click these value names and select Delete.
  19. Leave Registry Editor.
  20. Empty Recycle bin.
  21. Scan the system with an antimalware tool you prefer.

In non-techie terms:

Plasma RAT is vicious Trojan that may cause users a lot of troubles without them even realizing it. Our computer security specialists say the malicious application could provide hackers access to the infected systems, files or programs on them, and so on. Moreover, it was reported the malware could slow down the device since it might use its resources to mine cryptocurrencies. Therefore, while the threat could hide its other malicious activities, the user might suspect something could be going on because of the slower system’s performance. In which case, it is advisable to check the computer carefully to find out whether it was infected with this Trojan. Provided, the user can identify it, we would recommend completing the steps available a bit above this article. Afterward, it would be a good idea to scan the system with a trustworthy antimalware tool of your choice to eliminate other possible files related to this threat as there is a possibility some of them could still be hiding.