How To Remove Lucifer Malware (Cryptominer) Virus

Lucifer Malware is a self-propagating hybrid malware that targets Windows-based systems and use it for  cryptomining. 

What is Lucifer Malware?

The Lucifer Malware is a threat that exploits the vulnerabilities of the target system to intrude inside. Once in, it may execute various malicious tasks, most commonly crypto-jacking and DDoS (Distributed-Denial-of-Service) attacks. In a recent campaign, the security experts detected two variants of the Lucifer Malware that exploits Windows vulnerabilities for cryptomining and DDoS attacks. The malware works by hijacking the resources of the target system and initiate DDoS (Distributed-Denial-of-Service) attacks. As well as, Lucifer Malware also deploy the XMrig miner to use the infected system for mining of Monero coins.

Lucifer name is often used by cyber-criminals to name their malware threats. As such there is also a Lucifer Banking Trojan that was active in campaign in 2019. However, both of them are not related to each other.

As mining is a complex process and need high computing power. Thus the cyber-criminals use this stealthily way to connect the affected computer to the main mining pool and use all the available resources of the system for mining process. So, that they can earn their profit with others expenses.

As the mining process requires huge computing power and can also put huge load of the hardware components of the system.

The presence of the CPU Miner means your computer’s resources will be highly negotiated. You won’t be able to perform any task until Lucifer Malware is completely removed. As such the miner not only affects the performance of the computer but also may affect hardware and ultimately lowers of the lifespan of your device.

Lucifer Malware Trojan infiltration Sources:

As mentioned above, it is a self-propagating malware, thus it uses brute-force technique to crack the credentials of the target system to enter inside. Other than that, it may also use various advanced distribution techniques like  exploitation of the SMB service and many such.

Although, when it comes to infection vector of cryptominers, they may use the following methods:

• Flash player;
• browser extensions;
• Driver update;
• Crack of any software application;
• Key activator of any program and so on.

Therefore, it is advised not to download any freeware from unverified sources or third-party platforms. Also never hurry to click any link that comes to your browsing screen. As it may be a trick to install any harmful Adware program.

Lucifer Malware Trojan destructive actions:

Lucifer Malware exploits some known vulnerabilities of the web-based software. Some of them are Microsoft windows, Apache Struts, ThinkPHP, Oracle Weblogic and HTTP File Server.

Through, this list the authors of the malware have created a script that automate the process of detecting any system with these vulnerabilities.

When any vulnerability is found on a system, it uses the brute-forcing credentials to target it. If it gets successful, then the Lucifer Malware is finally dropped on the host machine.

Once the system is infected, Lucifer Malware will establish communication via C&C (Command & Control) server. After which, it downloads the rest of the configuration files from the C&C server. Additionally, it installs the XMRig crypto-mining module that usages the resources of the system to mine Monero currency.

How Lucifer Malware Miner can Affect The system?

If your computer is infected with Lucifer Malware Miner then, then you may notice the following symptoms:

• CPU showing 90% usage and very high graphics card usage.
• Web browser loads slowly and is consuming lots of CPU resources.
• You may see the random process or unknown running under Task manager window.
• Applications like games, videos and other system programs runs slow and even the screen may crash.
• Delay in opening any program and maximizing/minimizing window too takes time.
• Computer and browser acts too sluggish.

The presence of Lucifer Malware Miner or any other CPU miner can affect the hardware and software components like CPU, graphics card and memory drives.

Lucifer Malware is not only one to affect users like this, there are many such fake executable programs deployed by the con artists to compromise the user’s security. Thus, if you have encounter Lucifer Malware process on the computer, then it is important to remove it as soon as possible.

How to Remove Lucifer Malware from infected device?

CPU Miners program does a lots of changes to the host machine to silently executes lots of activities within background. It also downloads and installs other malware which is difficult find manually as it may appear to be legitimate program file but it could be actually a Lucifer Malware Trojan or other harmful program.

Lucifer Malware Trojan program should be removed as early as possible from the compromised system and avoid any other long term damage.

Security experts never recommend attempting manual removal for a CPU Miner threat like Lucifer Malware Trojan as it may cause adverse effect on the computer and further leads to complete damage.  Always go a reputable and powerful anti-malware scan to your infected system to detect and remove the Lucifer Malware Trojan threat.

“Windows OS: Use Anti-Malware To Scan And Remove Lucifer Malware (Recommended)”

SpyHunter is a giant among the security programs that use advanced threat detection technology to remove any sort of Adware/PUPs, Browser hijacker, Trojans, Rootkits, Fake system optimization tools, worms, and rootkits. It not only remove threats but provides rigorous 24/7 protection from any unsolicited programs, vulnerability or rootkits attacks.

Steps To Perform System Scan with SpyHunter

• Once the program is installed successfully, the SpyHunter 5 Anti-malware program will launch automatically. If it does not then locate the SpyHunter icon on the desktop or click on “Start” ? “Programs” ? Select “SpyHunter”.
• Now, To start the scan click on the “Home” tab and select “Start Scan Now” button. The program will now start scanning for Lucifer Malware and other associated programs.
  

  Start Scan Now For Lucifer Malware

• The scan will report will all the details of the result about Lucifer Malware along with system errors, vulnerabilities and malware found.
  

  Lucifer Malware PUP Found

• Once you have found Lucifer Malware  as shown in the screenshot below:

Lucifer Malware PUP Removal

• To select an object for removal, just select the checkbox at the left of the object and click on “Next“. You can select or deselect any objects displayed in the “Malware,” “PUPs” or “Privacy” tabs. We have included a convenient “Select All” feature that will allow you to select or deselect all objects displayed in a specific tab. To utilize this feature, simply select the checkbox at the left in the specific tab (9).

Select Objects To Remove

• Once you have selected which objects you would like to remove, click the “Next” button.
  

  Press Next To Clean You PC

If you want to know more about it, you are welcomed to check out the full review of SpyHunter 5.

How To Remove Lucifer Malware Manually From Windows OS

To Remove Lucifer Malware , follow these steps:

Method 1: Remove Lucifer Malware Manually From Windows OS (Safe Mode)

For Windows XP and 7:

• Click on the “Start menu“, then on click the arrow next to “Shut Down.” Select Restart. (Just as you normally Restart your PC).
• Once the computer screen is powered on, immediately start tapping “F8” key till you see “Advanced Boot Options” screen. if you don’t enter to the boot screen, then restart the process again and press F8 while the PC is restarting.
• Here, you need to choose “Safe Mode with Networking“ option and press “enter” key to troubleshooting windows. As later on, you need to access the internet.
  

  Safe Mode With Networking

• And you will now see the login screen. Now log in with your Administrator Account.

NOTE: To get back to your normal windows configuration, you need to repeat steps 1-3 and select Start Windows Normally.

• For Windows 10: Click Start –> Power and then hold the Shift key on your keyboard and click Restart.
• For Windows 8/8.1:  Press the “Windows key + C“, and then click “Settings“. Click “Power“, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and then click “Restart“.
• From here steps are same for Windows 10 and 8.
• Click Troubleshoot.
  

  Choose Troubleshoot

• Click Advanced options.
  

  Choose Advanced Options

• Click Startup Settings.
  

  Choose Start-up Setting

• Click Restart.
  

  Press Restart

• After your computer restarts, select Safe Mode with Networking.
  

  Windows 10 Safe Mode With Networking

• Enter your Administrative username and password to start Windows in Safe Mode with Networking.

NOTE: To get back to normal Windows configuration you need to Click Start –> Power and then click Restart.

Kill Lucifer Malware Process From Task Manager

• Press “Window key+ R” and type “taskmgr”.
  

  Open Task Manager Windows 10

• Now once the task manager window opens, perform these steps:
• Under the process tab, check for the suspicious program still running;
• If you find it, right click on the name and select “Open file location”;
• Then click on “End Task”;
  

  Task manager End Task Windows 10

• Now go to the file location window opened and select the program and delete that file.

Disable Lucifer Malware suspicious program from startup.

It is very important to remove Lucifer Malware program, from auto-launch when the system boots. As if not removed,  then it will not allow you to remove the malicious programs completely from the infected system. And there is very much chances that it will again repair its files and be active on your system.

Disabling this will allow you to completely get rid of any unwanted program.

To Disable Auto-Startup For Lucifer Malware Program: 

For Windows Xp and older version:

1. Press “Windows key+R” that will open the run box. Within the search field type “msconfig”  and hit enter that will launch “System Configuration” window.
2. Next, click on the “Startup” tab to see the list of programs which are set to auto-launch with the computer boot.
   

   Disable auto-start up apps windows 7

3. Now browse the list to locate the programs related to Lucifer Malware . To disable it, un-check the boxes next to the program names, you want to remove from start up. And choose “Disable All” click “Apply” and “OK.”

For Windows 8, 10 and newer versions:

This feature is available within the Task manager window. So open it and switch to “Start Up Tab.”

1. Click on the Lucifer Malware or other harmful program, then click “Disable” button appearing at the bottom of the window.
   

   Disable auto-start up apps windows 10

Remove Lucifer Malware And Other Harmful Program From Computer

• In the taskbar, click on the “Search” icon. And Type “Apps And Features;”
  

  Apps And Feature Windows 10

• When the “Apps And Features” window opens, you can see the list of applications installed;
• Go through it carefully and search for Presearch.org or other apps that looks suspicious to you. If you don’t remember to install yourself;
• If you find such, click on it to expand; And click on “Uninstall”.
  

  Uninstall application Windows 10

• Repeat for all such apps.

If the program does not allow you to remove it, or says the program is running in the background. Then you need to first finish the task from the task manager.

Remove Lucifer Malware using HitmanPro.Alert

HitmanPro.Alert

HitmanPro.Alert is an advanced anti-malware program that takes on proactive approach towards threat behavior and its activities. Its cloud-based scanning technique is deeply scans the system to the possible locations where threats mostly resides.

Running HitmanPro.Alert on your computer will provide your real-time status, checks the browser integrity and alerts or any suspicious activity. So that you can have a safe browsing and online transactions. Read the full review of HitmanPro.Alert here.

Steps To Install And Run HitmanPro.Alert

• • • Click on the provided link to download HitmanPro.Alert anti-malware;
      

      HitManPro.Alert Step1

    • Now, open the download folder or where your program is downloaded to locate “hmpalert3”;
      

      HitmanPro.Alert Step 2

    • Click on it, to begin the installation;
    • It will ask your User Account control, if prompted click on “yes”;
    • The download should begin shortly. HitmanPro.Alert window will appear, where you need to choose the options:
      

      HitManPro.Alert Step3

      Choose Protection level as Maximum
      And tick the other boxes and finally click on “Install”.
      HitmanPro.Alert only takes 5MB of your memory and is very quick to install.

      

      HitManPro.Alert Step4

    • After the installation is complete, the scan will start. First scan may take up some minutes, as it will scan the whole computer.
      

      HitmanPro.Alert step 4

    • The scan results are displayed. Carefully look down the list. You can here, the scan has found 1 Riskware and thousands of traces which can be risky.
      

      HitmanPro.Alert step 5

    • You can select the threat to delete, quranantize, ignore or, mark as safe. If you want to remove all the threats, then simply click on the “Next” button below.
      

      HitmanPro.Alert step 6

    • HitmanPro.Alert first creates a restore point and then starts the removal process. This helps to recover from any damage.
      

      HitmanPro.Alert step 7

So, now you are done, with the removal process with HitmanPro.Alert.

HitmanPro.Alert step 8

Method 2: Remove Lucifer Malware Virus Using System Restore Procedure. (Advanced option)

Another method is a manual way to get rid of Lucifer Malware which is through System Restore. If you don’t know much about this process, then read here. Click here to perform System Restore in Windows OS.

Safe Mode with Command Prompt (Follow the above steps and choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt option from boot setting.)

To Reboot your computer to “Safe Mode with Command Prompt”

Windows 7 / Vista / XP

• Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart.
• Now select Troubleshoot –> Advanced options –> Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
• Once your computer becomes active, select “Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt” in Startup Settings window.

Windows 10 / Windows 8

• Click Start –> Restart –> OK.
• When your computer becomes active, start pressing “F8″ multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
• Select Command Prompt from the list

To Restore your system to default settings as it was prior to the attack of Lucifer Malware Virus

1. Once the Command Prompt window appears, type “cd restore” and press Enter.
2. Now again type “rstrui.exe” and hit Enter button;
3. It will show up a new window, now click on “Next” and select your restore point that should be prior to the attack of Lucifer Malware threat or any other point you want. Click on “Next”.
4. Now click on “Yes” to confirm the system restore.

Once the system restore to your selected date is done, then you need to restart your computer normally.

You should Download effective anti-virus program and scan your computer to ensure successful removal of any threat.

Best Practices To avoid Such Infections

• Keep a secure firewall for the system. This will help block any unwanted internet connections to your device.
• Do not open spam mail attachments from unknown sender. This is the common way through which malicious programs intrude inside. Thus, we should be cautious while getting mails from non-trusted sources.
• Keep the software program updates, so that it does not have any security patches.
• Be very cautious while downloading any freeware from third-party websites. Always download software programs from official websites. Thus avoiding any accidental download of Adware/PUPs.
• Do not use public wi-fi for online transactions, as they are not fully secure and can infect the device.
• Use a powerful anti-virus program that will keep track of the security.

By following the above tips, you can avoid viruses or unwanted programs entering on your computer. Hope this article is helpful to you.