What is PWS:Win32/Zbot infection?
In this post you will discover about the meaning of PWS:Win32/Zbot as well as its negative influence on your computer. Such ransomware are a kind of malware that is elaborated by on the internet scams to require paying the ransom money by a target.
In the majority of the situations, PWS:Win32/Zbot virus will instruct its sufferers to launch funds transfer for the purpose of neutralizing the modifications that the Trojan infection has presented to the sufferer’s tool.
PWS:Win32/Zbot Summary
These alterations can be as follows:
- Executable code extraction. Cybercriminals often use binary packers to hinder the malicious code from reverse-engineered by malware analysts. A packer is a tool that compresses, encrypts, and modifies a malicious file’s format. Sometimes packers can be used for legitimate ends, for example, to protect a program against cracking or copying.
- 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.
- Starts servers listening on 0.0.0.0:11755, :0;
- Reads data out of its own binary image. The trick that allows the malware to read data out of your computer’s memory.
Everything you run, type, or click on your computer goes through the memory. This includes passwords, bank account numbers, emails, and other confidential information. With this vulnerability, there is the potential for a malicious program to read that data.
- Drops a binary and executes it. Trojan-Downloader installs itself to the system and waits until an Internet connection becomes available to connect to a remote server or website in order to download additional malware onto the infected computer.
- The binary likely contains encrypted or compressed data. In this case, encryption is a way of hiding virus’ code from antiviruses and virus’ analysts.
- Uses Windows utilities for basic functionality;
- Code injection with CreateRemoteThread in a remote process;
- Tries to unhook or modify Windows functions monitored by Cuckoo;
- 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 Zeus (Banking Trojan) mutexes;
- Attempts to modify browser security settings;
- Harvests credentials from local FTP client softwares;
- Creates a slightly modified copy of itself;
- Collects information to fingerprint the system. There are behavioral human characteristics that can be used to digitally identify a person to grant access to systems, devices, or data. Unlike passwords and verification codes, fingerprints are fundamental parts of user’s identities. Among the threats blocked on biometric data processing and storage systems is spyware, the malware used in phishing attacks (mostly spyware downloaders and droppers), ransomware, and Banking Trojans as posing the greatest danger.
- Anomalous binary characteristics. This is a way of hiding virus’ code from antiviruses and virus’ analysts.
- Ciphering the files found on the victim’s disk drive — so the sufferer can no more utilize the data;
- Preventing regular access to the victim’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/Zbot
One of the most regular networks whereby PWS:Win32/Zbot Trojans are infused are:
- By means of phishing e-mails;
- As an effect of user ending up on a source that hosts a malicious software program;
As quickly as the Trojan is successfully injected, it will either cipher the data on the target’s computer or protect against the tool from working in a correct fashion – while additionally putting a ransom money note that states the requirement for the sufferers to effect the settlement for the purpose of decrypting the papers or restoring the documents system back to the initial condition. In many instances, the ransom money note will show up when the client restarts the COMPUTER after the system has actually currently been harmed.
PWS:Win32/Zbot distribution channels.
In various edges of the world, PWS:Win32/Zbot expands by jumps as well as bounds. Nevertheless, the ransom notes as well as tricks of obtaining the ransom money quantity might differ depending upon certain regional (local) setups. The ransom notes as well as tricks of extorting the ransom quantity might differ depending on particular regional (regional) settings.
For instance:
Faulty informs regarding unlicensed software program.
In certain areas, the Trojans often wrongfully report having found some unlicensed applications enabled on the target’s gadget. The sharp then demands the user to pay the ransom.
Faulty statements about unlawful web content.
In countries where software program piracy is less prominent, this method is not as reliable for the cyber fraudulences. Additionally, the PWS:Win32/Zbot popup alert might incorrectly declare to be deriving from a police organization as well as will certainly report having situated kid porn or other illegal data on the gadget.
PWS:Win32/Zbot popup alert may wrongly claim to be acquiring from a law enforcement establishment and also will report having situated kid porn or other prohibited information on the gadget. The alert will in a similar way have a requirement for the customer to pay the ransom money.
Technical details
File Info:
crc32: 1285C551md5: 9babe52f985b2b4193113d5c260eb195name: 9BABE52F985B2B4193113D5C260EB195.mlwsha1: b4b4772d485d7d4192774aca3a9c594f82717adbsha256: ca2ab2eb8249afceb6b9f42bac54fe8635fb5ccbf4e497c35ed700d9dae1c2d1sha512: 61f41678334ea638dd3dc02d280739910d4b64cc31289c3f99bf41067bdfee1a9ab2114920b7b162862046b06d59d2bb6168557cc1a4463113a2ad00f526af8bssdeep: 3072:WhBFnGu6BYxbu75pZlgpXor85hfuHwhxqn9fI2uW+It:WhHGzK475pUpXiwgxExIttype: PE32 executable (GUI) Intel 80386, for MS WindowsVersion Info:
0: [No Data]
PWS:Win32/Zbot also known as:
GridinSoft | Trojan.Ransom.Gen |
K7AntiVirus | Password-Stealer ( 003f06421 ) |
DrWeb | Trojan.PWS.Panda.655 |
MicroWorld-eScan | Gen:Heur.Conjar.9 |
CMC | Trojan-Ransom.Win32.PornoAsset!O |
Cylance | Unsafe |
Zillya | Trojan.PornoAsset.Win32.2436 |
Sangfor | Malware |
CrowdStrike | win/malicious_confidence_100% (D) |
Alibaba | Trojan:Win32/Kryptik.4d729f69 |
K7GW | Password-Stealer ( 003f06421 ) |
Cybereason | malicious.f985b2 |
TrendMicro | TSPY_ZBOT.SM3T |
Cyren | W32/Falab.F.gen!Eldorado |
ESET-NOD32 | a variant of Win32/Kryptik.AJSD |
APEX | Malicious |
TotalDefense | Win32/Zbot.FVN |
Avast | Win32:Crypt-NOE [Trj] |
GData | Gen:Heur.Conjar.9 |
Kaspersky | HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic |
BitDefender | Gen:Heur.Conjar.9 |
NANO-Antivirus | Trojan.Win32.PornoAsset.vrbda |
ViRobot | Trojan.Win32.A.PornoAsset.130560 |
SUPERAntiSpyware | Trojan.Agent/Gen-Kryptik |
Tencent | Win32.Trojan.Generic.Hwmt |
Ad-Aware | Gen:Heur.Conjar.9 |
Sophos | Mal/Katusha-J |
Comodo | TrojWare.Win32.Kryptik.NEGB@4ri728 |
F-Secure | Trojan.TR/Crypt.XPACK.Gen |
BitDefenderTheta | Gen:NN.ZexaF.34098.huW@aiKSCQoi |
VIPRE | Lookslike.Win32.Sirefef.j (v) |
Invincea | heuristic |
McAfee-GW-Edition | PWS-Zbot.gen.bgx |
Trapmine | malicious.high.ml.score |
FireEye | Generic.mg.9babe52f985b2b41 |
Emsisoft | Gen:Heur.Conjar.9 (B) |
SentinelOne | DFI – Malicious PE |
F-Prot | W32/Falab.F.gen!Eldorado |
Endgame | malicious (high confidence) |
Webroot | W32.Malware.Gen |
Avira | TR/Crypt.XPACK.Gen |
eGambit | Generic.Malware |
Antiy-AVL | Trojan[Ransom]/Win32.PornoAsset |
Microsoft | PWS:Win32/Zbot |
Jiangmin | Trojan/PornoAsset.bso |
Arcabit | Trojan.Conjar.9 |
AegisLab | Trojan.Win32.Generic.lC4A |
ZoneAlarm | HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic |
TACHYON | Trojan/W32.PornoAsset.130560 |
AhnLab-V3 | Trojan/Win32.Yakes.R34620 |
Acronis | suspicious |
McAfee | PWS-Zbot.gen.bgx |
MAX | malware (ai score=100) |
VBA32 | BScope.Trojan.Downloader |
Panda | Trj/Genetic.gen |
TrendMicro-HouseCall | TSPY_ZBOT.SM3T |
Rising | Trojan.Generic!8.C3 (CLOUD) |
Ikarus | Virus.Win32.Vundo |
Fortinet | W32/Poxter.A!tr |
AVG | Win32:Crypt-NOE [Trj] |
Paloalto | generic.ml |
Qihoo-360 | HEUR/Malware.QVM19.Gen |
How to remove PWS:Win32/Zbot ransomware?
Unwanted application has ofter come with other viruses and spyware. This threats can steal account credentials, or crypt your documents for ransom.
Reasons why I would recommend GridinSoft1
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.

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.

Press “Install” button.

Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.

Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your system for PWS:Win32/Zbot 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.

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.

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:
If the guide doesn’t help you to remove PWS:Win32/Zbot you can always ask me in the comments for getting help.
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References
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site: https://howtofix.guide/gridinsoft-anti-malware/
- More information about GridinSoft products: https://gridinsoft.com/products/