Kpot Stealer - How to remove

Kpot is an info-stealing trojan. It spreads in malicious email spam and malicious websites.

Once Kpot is on a computer, it extracts saved credentials, payment methods, and other information from browsers and other apps. It then sends that information to malicious actors.

After removing Kpot, it’s advised to change your passwords and to watch your bank account very closely to make sure that your information is not being abused by cybercriminals.

Kpot in short:

Classification	Trojan, spyware.
How Kpot works	It spreads in malicious websites and emails with infected attachments, it is sometimes installed with other malware, it steals files and data from web browsers and other programs.
Dangers posed by the stealer	It can be used to steal credentials, accounts, and money.
How to remove the Kpot trojan	Remove malware with antivirus programs, such as Spyhunter, change your passwords and protect private information, install software updates.

How Kpot stealer works

It extracts private information

Kpot is is an info stealer. It steals private information, such as passwords and usernames for websites and crypto wallets, payment methods, screenshots, autofill data, browser cookies. Some of this data could be used to steal accounts and even to steal money.

This is a very serious infection. If it’s successful in taking your information and sending it off to cybercriminals, it could allow them to hack your accounts and possibly make purchases with your money.

Kpot can extract information from a variety of applications:

• Email clients.
• Web browsers.
• Gaming clients.
• Chatting software.
• FTP credentials.

So, programs like Google Chrome, Discord, Steam, and others are spied on by Kpot. The victim’s servers may also be compromised.

Kpot can also take files.

If there are any computers on the same local network, Kpot can affect them, too.

It’s worth noting that if your computer’s main language setting indicates that you may be from any of the CIS countries, Kpot won’t work.

Kpot spreads in malicious websites and emails

Kpot spreads in phishing emails, in attached files. These emails could be talking about bank payments, invoices, order deliveries, online purchases, CVs, and just about anything. Kpot has been known to spread in Coronavirus-themed websites and scam emails, too.

It’s common for Kpot to arrive in documents infected with malicious macros. It may ask you to open the document, click the “Enable Editing” button, allow macros, and then execute the malicious code. Or the code could be executed automatically.

In addition, Kpot is downloaded automatically by exploit kits. Exploit kits find vulnerable computers online, such as computers running outdated software, and use known security exploits to deliver malware.

Kpot isn’t included in the infected files, but a downloader is. That’s why malicious files that infect computers with Kpot get detected as Trojan.Downloader, Trojan.VBS, Malware-gen, and other unspecific names.

Often, the Kpot stealer would be downloaded together with other malicious programs, like file-locking ransomware.

The Kpot stealer isn’t a single malware campaign. Cybercriminals could buy it and use it themselves. Many different groups could use Kpot for their own purposes, spreading it in their own ways.

The relevant Proofpoint.com blog post has a very detailed analysis.

Recently, ZDNet reported that Kpot was sold by its developer to a high-profile ransomware gang. So, Kpot’s distribution may change in the future.

How to remove Kpot

Delete Kpot and other malware

You can use an antivirus scanner to remove Kpot and other malware that might have been installed with it.

If ransomware was paired with the Kpot attack, then know that removing the malicious programs will not fix the broken files. Still, the malware needs to be removed.

You can use an antivirus program like Spyhunter to detect and remove malicious files. However, you may need to use safe mode to remove all the malware. Alternatively, you could try and kill all malicious processes manually.

Kpot may be detected as Trojan:Win32/Kpot, TrojanSpy:Win32/Kpot, and by other names.

Protect yourself in the future

After removing Kpot, take a few steps to protect yourself:

• Change your passwords. Use 2FA so that you’re alerted if anyone tries to use your credentials. Keep a close eye on your money.
• Be careful of phishing scams. Any unexpected emails that require you to open a file should be treated with suspicion.
• Update your software. It is good for your security to allow Windows updates and antivirus updates to be installed automatically.

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