BrowserVenom

BrowserVenom is a sophisticated form of trojan proxyware, recently uncovered spreading via fake DeepSeek-R1 installers and malvertising campaigns. Its primary function is to reroute browser traffic through attacker-controlled proxies, enabling surveillance, data theft, and potential deployment of additional malware.

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Threat Overview

Property	Details
Threat type	Trojan, Proxyware
Detection names	Kaspersky: HEUR:Trojan.Win32.SelfDel.gen / TS; Jiangmin: Trojan.Selfdel.vfn; VBA32: Trojan.SelfDel
Symptoms	Typically silent and stealthy—runs in background and alters proxy settings without visible alerts
Damage	Enables data interception, identity theft, banking credential theft, affiliate fraud, click-fraud, botnet activity
Distribution methods	Fake DeepSeek installers, malvertising (Google Ads), phishing sites, cracked software bundles, phishing emails
Danger level	High — covert network access and data compromise pose serious risks
Removal tool	SpyHunter – reliable cleanup: Download SpyHunter

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Evaluation: How It Works

How I got infected:
Victims searching for “DeepSeek R1” often click malicious ads that lead to spoofed sites mimicking the real service. After solving bogus CAPTCHA prompts, users are tricked into downloading AI_Launcher_1.21.exe, which surreptitiously installs the malware.

What it does:

• Installs itself and exploits admin privileges to disable Microsoft Defender protections.
• Injects a rogue root certificate and modifies browser launch configurations (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc.) to route through attacker-managed proxies.
• Logs browsing activity, intercepts credentials, and can fetch additional payloads via PowerShell DGA-driven downloads.

Should you be worried?
Absolutely. The malware is stealthy and highly effective at harvesting sensitive data. You might not notice it until financial or identity fraud surfaces. Networks and services you use could be silently accessed through attacker infrastructure.

Manual Trojan Malware Removal Guide

Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode

1. Restart your computer.
2. Before Windows starts, press the F8 key (or Shift + F8 on some systems).
3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the Advanced Boot Options menu.
4. Press Enter to boot.

This prevents the Trojan from running and makes it easier to remove.

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Step 2: Identify and Stop Malicious Processes

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Processes tab (or Details in Windows 10/11).
3. Look for suspicious processes using high CPU or memory, or with unfamiliar names.
4. Right-click on the suspicious process and select Open File Location.
5. If the file is in a temporary or system folder and looks unfamiliar, it is likely malicious.
6. Right-click the process and choose End Task.
7. Delete the associated file in File Explorer.

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Step 3: Remove Trojan-Related Files and Folders

1. Press Win + R, type %temp%, and press Enter.
2. Delete all files in the Temp folder.
3. Also check these directories for unfamiliar or recently created files:
   • C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local\Temp
   • C:\Windows\Temp
   • C:\Program Files (x86)
   • C:\ProgramData
   • C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Roaming
4. Delete suspicious files or folders.

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Step 4: Clean Trojan Malware from Registry

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to the following paths:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
3. Look for entries launching files from suspicious locations.
4. Right-click and delete any entries you don’t recognize.

Warning: Editing the registry can harm your system if done improperly. Proceed with caution.

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Step 5: Reset Browser Settings

Google Chrome

1. Go to Settings > Reset Settings.
2. Click Restore settings to their original defaults and confirm.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Go to Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
2. Click Refresh Firefox.

Microsoft Edge

1. Go to Settings > Reset settings.
2. Click Restore settings to their default values.

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Step 6: Run a Full Windows Defender Scan

1. Open Windows Security via Settings > Update & Security.
2. Click Virus & threat protection.
3. Choose Scan options, select Full scan, and click Scan now.

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Step 7: Update Windows and Installed Software

1. Press Win + I, go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install all available updates.

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Automatic Trojan Removal Using SpyHunter

If manually removing the Trojan seems difficult or time-consuming, using SpyHunter is the recommended method. SpyHunter is an advanced anti-malware tool that detects and eliminates Trojan infections effectively.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Use the following official link to download SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter

For full instructions on how to install, follow this page: Official SpyHunter Download Instructions

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Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Locate the SpyHunter-Installer.exe file in your Downloads folder.
2. Double-click the installer to begin setup.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

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Step 3: Scan Your System

1. Open SpyHunter.
2. Click Start Scan Now.
3. Let the program detect all threats, including Trojan components.

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Step 4: Remove Detected Malware

1. After the scan, click Fix Threats.
2. SpyHunter will automatically quarantine and remove all identified malicious components.

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Step 5: Restart Your Computer

Restart your system to ensure all changes take effect and the threat is completely removed.

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Tips to Prevent Future Trojan Infections

• Avoid downloading pirated software or opening unknown email attachments.
• Only visit trusted websites and avoid clicking on suspicious ads or pop-ups.
• Use a real-time antivirus solution like SpyHunter for ongoing protection.
• Keep your operating system, browsers, and software up to date.

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Conclusion

BrowserVenom is a potent and stealthy threat masquerading as legitimate AI software. Its silent hijacking of browser traffic allows full visibility into your online activity—potentially enabling identity theft, financial fraud, and further compromise of your system.

If you suspect infection, promptly run a full scan using SpyHunter (linked above) to clean your system, restore secure browser settings, and block unauthorized network intercepts.