TROX is a dangerous piece of malware belonging to the stealer Trojan category, specifically engineered to extract sensitive user data such as browser-stored credentials, financial information, and cryptocurrency wallet details. First seen in the wild in 2024, TROX has since been actively distributed through deceptive email campaigns and bundled with fake legal documents hosted on platforms like GitHub.
Marketed as a Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS), TROX has been used both by amateur cybercriminals and more advanced threat actors. While the malware was initially advertised for use against individual home users, recent activity suggests its expansion into more targeted campaigns against businesses and enterprises.
How TROX Infects Systems
TROX typically spreads via spam email campaigns using debt collection themes to trick users into downloading malicious files. Once executed, the malware begins a multi-stage infection chain, often masking its presence with a legitimate-looking decoy document while it installs itself silently in the background.
TROX is known for being coded in multiple programming languages and using heavy obfuscation to avoid detection by antivirus software and make reverse engineering more difficult. Layers of junk code and anti-analysis techniques are embedded to ensure persistence and stealth.
Once installed, TROX gets to work extracting a wide range of data from the infected device, including:
- Browser autofill data (usernames, PII)
- Saved credit/debit card information
- Browsing history and cookies
- Cryptocurrency wallet credentials
- Session tokens from platforms like Discord and Telegram
The harvested information is exfiltrated using Telegram and Gofile, two platforms often leveraged by threat actors for data storage and communication.
TROX Malware – Threat Summary
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Threat Name | TROX Malware |
Threat Type | Trojan, Stealer, Password-Stealing Virus |
Detection Names | Avast: Win64:MalwareX-gen [Pws], Combo Cleaner: Gen:Variant.Giant.Tedy.1710, ESET-NOD32: Generik.MSKSPON, Kaspersky: Trojan-PSW.Win64.Disco.ijx, Microsoft: Program:Win32/Wacapew.C!ml |
Associated Emails | Not publicly identified, but used in debt collection phishing campaigns |
Symptoms of Infection | Often stealthy; no visible signs. Users may remain unaware while credentials and financial data are siphoned. |
Distribution Methods | Email attachments, fake legal documents, GitHub links, cracked software, malicious ads |
Damage | Stolen passwords, financial loss, cryptocurrency theft, identity theft, botnet enlistment |
Danger Level | ★★★★★ – High |
Removal Tool | SpyHunter – Recommended malware detection and removal software |
Manual Ransomware Removal Guide
Warning: Manual removal is complex and risky. If not done correctly, it can lead to data loss or incomplete removal of ransomware. Only follow this method if you are an advanced user. If unsure, proceed with Method 2 (SpyHunter Removal Guide).
Step 1: Disconnect from the Internet
- Unplug your Ethernet cable or disconnect Wi-Fi immediately to prevent further communication with the ransomware’s command and control (C2) servers.
Step 2: Boot into Safe Mode
For Windows Users:
- For Windows 10, 11:
- Press Windows + R, type
msconfig
, and hit Enter. - Go to the Boot tab.
- Check Safe boot and select Network.
- Click Apply and OK, then restart your PC.
- Press Windows + R, type
- For Windows 7, 8:
- Restart your PC and press F8 repeatedly before Windows loads.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.
For Mac Users:
- Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
- Release the key once you see the Apple logo.
- Your Mac will start in Safe Mode.
Step 3: Locate and Terminate Malicious Processes
For Windows Users:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Look for suspicious processes (e.g., unknown names, high CPU usage, or random letters).
- Right-click on the process and select End Task.
For Mac Users:
- Open Activity Monitor (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor).
- Look for unusual processes.
- Select the process and click Force Quit.
Step 4: Delete Malicious Files
For Windows Users:
- Press Windows + R, type
%temp%
, and hit Enter. - Delete all files in the Temp folder.
- Navigate to:
C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming
C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local
C:\Windows\System32
- Look for suspicious files related to the ransomware (random file names, recently modified) and delete them.
For Mac Users:
- Open Finder and go to Go > Go to Folder.
- Type
~/Library/Application Support
and delete suspicious folders. - Navigate to
~/Library/LaunchAgents
and remove unknown.plist
files.
Step 5: Remove Ransomware from Registry or System Settings
For Windows Users:
Warning: Incorrect changes in the Registry Editor can damage your system. Proceed with caution.
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit
, and hit Enter. - Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software
- Look for unfamiliar folders with random characters or ransomware-related names.
- Right-click and select Delete.
For Mac Users:
- Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups.
- Click on Login Items and remove any suspicious startup items.
- Navigate to
~/Library/Preferences
and remove malicious.plist
files.
Step 6: Restore System Using System Restore (Windows) or Time Machine (Mac)
For Windows Users:
- Press Windows + R, type
rstrui
, and hit Enter. - Click Next, choose a restore point before the infection, and follow the prompts to restore your system.
For Mac Users:
- Restart your Mac and hold Command + R to enter macOS Utilities.
- Select Restore from Time Machine Backup.
- Choose a backup prior to the ransomware infection and restore your system.
Step 7: Use a Decryption Tool (If Available)
- Visit No More Ransom (www.nomoreransom.org) and check if a decryption tool is available for your ransomware variant.
Step 8: Recover Files Using Backup
- If you have backups on an external drive or cloud storage, restore your files.
Automatic Ransomware Removal Using SpyHunter
If manual removal seems too risky or complicated, using a reliable anti-malware tool like SpyHunter is the best alternative.
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
Download SpyHunter from the official link: Download SpyHunter
Or follow the official installation instructions here:
SpyHunter Download Instructions
Step 2: Install SpyHunter
- Open the downloaded file (
SpyHunter-Installer.exe
). - Follow the on-screen prompts to install the program.
- Once installed, launch SpyHunter.
Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan
- Click on Start Scan Now.
- SpyHunter will scan for ransomware and other malware.
- Wait for the scan to complete.
Step 4: Remove Detected Threats
- After the scan, SpyHunter will list all detected threats.
- Click Fix Threats to remove the ransomware.
Step 5: Use SpyHunter’s Malware HelpDesk (If Needed)
If you are dealing with a stubborn ransomware variant, SpyHunter’s Malware HelpDesk provides custom fixes to remove advanced threats.
Step 6: Restore Your Files
If your files are encrypted:
- Try No More Ransom (www.nomoreransom.org) for decryption tools.
- Restore from cloud storage or external backups.
Preventing Future Ransomware Attacks
- Keep backups on an external hard drive or cloud storage.
- Use SpyHunter to detect threats before they infect your system.
- Enable Windows Defender or a trusted antivirus program.
- Avoid suspicious emails, attachments, and links.
- Update Windows, macOS & software regularly.
Conclusion
TROX is a high-risk threat with serious implications for both individual users and organizations. Its ability to infiltrate systems without visible symptoms and extract sensitive data makes it one of the more insidious malware strains currently active. Given its MaaS structure and continual development, TROX is likely to evolve further, expanding its capabilities and increasing its reach. Immediate action should be taken if this malware is suspected to be on a system.
To protect your data and eliminate TROX from your device, SpyHunter is a trusted and effective removal tool that can help mitigate the threat swiftly.