PWS:Win32/Frethog

What is the Win32:Evo-gen [Trj] virus?
Written by Robert Bailey

What is PWS:Win32/Frethog infection?

In this post you will certainly locate concerning the interpretation of PWS:Win32/Frethog and its unfavorable effect on your computer. Such ransomware are a kind of malware that is specified by online scams to demand paying the ransom by a sufferer.

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In the majority of the instances, PWS:Win32/Frethog virus will certainly instruct its victims to start funds move for the purpose of counteracting the amendments that the Trojan infection has actually presented to the sufferer’s gadget.

PWS:Win32/Frethog Summary

These alterations can be as adheres to:

  • Injection with CreateRemoteThread in a remote process;
  • Creates RWX memory. There is a security trick with memory regions that allows an attacker to fill a buffer with a shellcode and then execute it. Filling a buffer with shellcode isn’t a big deal, it’s just data. The problem arises when the attacker is able to control the instruction pointer (EIP), usually by corrupting a function’s stack frame using a stack-based buffer overflow, and then changing the flow of execution by assigning this pointer to the address of the shellcode.
  • Possible date expiration check, exits too soon after checking local time;
  • Expresses interest in specific running processes;
  • Repeatedly searches for a not-found process, may want to run with startbrowser=1 option;
  • The binary likely contains encrypted or compressed data. In this case, encryption is a way of hiding virus’ code from antiviruses and virus’ analysts.
  • Code injection with CreateRemoteThread in a remote process;
  • Installs itself for autorun at Windows startup. There is simple tactic using the Windows startup folder located at:
    C:\Users\[user-name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\Startup. Shortcut links (.lnk extension) placed in this folder will cause Windows to launch the application each time [user-name] logs into Windows.

    The registry run keys perform the same action, and can be located in different locations:

    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
    • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
  • Creates a hidden or system file. The malware adds the hidden attribute to every file and folder on your system, so it appears as if everything has been deleted from your hard drive.
  • Network activity detected but not expressed in API logs. Microsoft built an API solution right into its Windows operating system it reveals network activity for all apps and programs that ran on the computer in the past 30-days. This malware hides network activity.
  • Creates a copy of itself;
  • Anomalous binary characteristics. This is a way of hiding virus’ code from antiviruses and virus’ analysts.
  • Ciphering the records found on the target’s hard drive — so the victim can no longer utilize the information;
  • Preventing routine accessibility to the target’s workstation. This is the typical behavior of a virus called locker. It blocks access to the computer until the victim pays the ransom.

PWS:Win32/Frethog

The most regular networks where PWS:Win32/Frethog Ransomware Trojans are injected are:

  • By methods of phishing emails;
  • As a repercussion of individual winding up on a resource that holds a harmful software application;

As soon as the Trojan is efficiently infused, it will either cipher the data on the sufferer’s computer or protect against the gadget from functioning in a proper manner – while additionally positioning a ransom note that discusses the need for the targets to effect the settlement for the purpose of decrypting the records or bring back the documents system back to the first condition. In the majority of circumstances, the ransom money note will certainly turn up when the client reboots the COMPUTER after the system has actually currently been harmed.

PWS:Win32/Frethog circulation channels.

In different corners of the globe, PWS:Win32/Frethog expands by leaps and bounds. Nevertheless, the ransom money notes and methods of extorting the ransom amount may differ relying on certain local (regional) setups. The ransom notes and methods of extorting the ransom amount may differ depending on certain neighborhood (regional) settings.

Ransomware injection

As an example:

    Faulty informs regarding unlicensed software.

    In particular areas, the Trojans usually wrongfully report having actually detected some unlicensed applications made it possible for on the target’s gadget. The alert after that demands the user to pay the ransom.

    Faulty statements regarding prohibited material.

    In countries where software piracy is much less popular, this approach is not as effective for the cyber frauds. Conversely, the PWS:Win32/Frethog popup alert might wrongly claim to be deriving from a law enforcement organization as well as will report having situated kid porn or other prohibited data on the gadget.

    PWS:Win32/Frethog popup alert may incorrectly assert to be deriving from a law enforcement institution and also will report having situated child pornography or various other illegal data on the device. The alert will likewise have a requirement for the individual to pay the ransom.

Technical details

File Info:

crc32: 689AB798
md5: 48547dc31f9af00e738cf3ed0d38d171
name: 48547DC31F9AF00E738CF3ED0D38D171.mlw
sha1: f7d50e2cc383b7f8f2ee89c9a2eec4b9c77e0864
sha256: 8567026e5e6b7e88185457f47d7cb8114fa8534094dff6b2744922338d6382a3
sha512: 0efeb7c4b49b5ae73af0960b7aa3a8f9acdd704be104f976d7f98519f94ed0a892fbb80d725297ef9ee3b91a3cf3def09352ff44a5c878d9d86f17a9e54130a8
ssdeep: 3072:s4VR0aQjm1fMT85BXrkp/jtGb5XbuB/mIQXg8f5AmRguh/t0iTRY24:symmFMT6rkVtG1lIrgA7uhjTRN4
type: PE32 executable (GUI) Intel 80386, for MS Windows

Version Info:

0: [No Data]

PWS:Win32/Frethog also known as:

GridinSoft Trojan.Ransom.Gen
Bkav W32.Common.456ED60C
Elastic malicious (high confidence)
DrWeb Trojan.PWS.Wsgame.28475
Cynet Malicious (score: 100)
CAT-QuickHeal Trojan.Toga.17972
McAfee Artemis!48547DC31F9A
Zillya Trojan.OnLineGames.Win32.84732
Sangfor Trojan.Win32.Save.a
CrowdStrike win/malicious_confidence_80% (D)
Alibaba Worm:Win32/Taterf.8b65e17e
Cybereason malicious.31f9af
Cyren W32/OnlineGames.FW.gen!Eldorado
Symantec ML.Attribute.HighConfidence
ESET-NOD32 Win32/PSW.OnLineGames.OUM
APEX Malicious
Avast Win32:FrePack [Cryp]
ClamAV Win.Trojan.OnlineGames-4366
Kaspersky HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic
BitDefender Gen:Variant.Taterf.20
NANO-Antivirus Trojan.Win32.Obfuscate.eiyyi
MicroWorld-eScan Gen:Variant.Taterf.20
Ad-Aware Gen:Variant.Taterf.20
Sophos ML/PE-A + Mal/Taterf-D
Comodo Malware@#3iy9504kzcfjb
BitDefenderTheta Gen:NN.ZexaF.34738.myWbayLPVEp
VIPRE Trojan.Win32.OnlineGames
McAfee-GW-Edition BehavesLike.Win32.VirRansom.dc
FireEye Generic.mg.48547dc31f9af00e
Emsisoft Gen:Variant.Taterf.20 (B)
SentinelOne Static AI – Suspicious PE
Jiangmin Trojan/Vaklik.dlo
Webroot W32.Malware.Gen
Avira TR/Crypt.ASPM.Gen2
eGambit Unsafe.AI_Score_99%
Antiy-AVL Trojan/Generic.ASMalwS.3BE7FA
Kingsoft Win32.Troj.Vaklik.l.(kcloud)
Microsoft PWS:Win32/Frethog
AegisLab Trojan.Win32.Vaklik.4!c
GData Gen:Variant.Taterf.20
AhnLab-V3 Dropper/Win32.OnlineGameHack.R3492
VBA32 TScope.Malware-Cryptor.SB
MAX malware (ai score=95)
Panda Generic Malware
Yandex Trojan.Vaklik!uN6xYv1zvzo
Ikarus Trojan-GameThief.Win32.Magania
Fortinet W32/OnLineGames.MK!tr
AVG Win32:FrePack [Cryp]
Paloalto generic.ml

How to remove PWS:Win32/Frethog virus?

Unwanted application has ofter come with other viruses and spyware. This threats can steal account credentials, or crypt your documents for ransom.
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There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent PC threats than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft2.

Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:

Run the setup file.

When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your system.

Run Setup.exe

An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Setup

Press “Install” button.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Install

Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Splash-Screen

Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your system for PWS:Win32/Frethog files and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scanning

Click on “Clean Now”.

When the scan has finished, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware Scan Result

Are Your Protected?

GridinSoft Anti-Malware will scan and clean your PC for free in the trial period. The free version offer real-time protection for first 2 days. If you want to be fully protected at all times – I can recommended you to purchase a full version:

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If the guide doesn’t help you to remove PWS:Win32/Frethog you can always ask me in the comments for getting help.

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References

  1. GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
  2. More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/comparison

About the author

Robert Bailey

I'm Robert Bailey, a passionate Security Engineer with a deep fascination for all things related to malware, reverse engineering, and white hat ethical hacking.

As a white hat hacker, I firmly believe in the power of ethical hacking to bolster security measures. By identifying vulnerabilities and providing solutions, I contribute to the proactive defense of digital infrastructures.

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