XLoader Spyware - How to remove

While iOS users are still worried about Pegasus, XLoader has emerged as a new threat to Apple devices. This spyware is an evolution of FormBook spyware. It’s able to steal login credentials (usernames, passwords), take screenshots, log keystrokes, and download and run files.

XLoader attacks both Windows computers and Apple devices. It can steal information, force the infected computers to spread spam, infect them with more malware. XLoader is likely to be used to attack businesses and organizations, but individual users are also vulnerable to this threat.

About XLoader:

Type of threat	Spyware, keylogger, trojan.
What XLoader can do to an infected computer	Steal passwords, screenshots, monitor keystrokes and network traffic, download and run files.
How to avoid XLoader and other spyware	Be careful of links and files sent in suspicious emails, update your OS to patch vulnerabilities, protect your device with antivirus programs.
How to remove XLoader	Use antivirus programs (Spyhunter for Windows, Spyhunter for Mac, others) to find and delete malware, find and stop malicious processes manually.

What makes XLoader dangerous?

XLoader steals information

FormBook and XLoader are described in detail by Check Point.

If you have saved some passwords for your browser to fill in automatically, spyware infections often try to grab them. If you have other info saved to automatically fill out forms, such as your address and phone number, spyware can take it, too.

XLoader can grab passwords and other form data from web browsers, but that’s not all. It can also take login credentials from online apps, such as email clients. It can also take screenshots, log keystrokes, and see the items copied into the clipboard. Finally, it can download and run files.

To share stolen data with its operators, XLoader sends it over the internet. It tries to confuse security staff by disguising its traffic and sending it to trusted sites.

Once the operators of XLoader get their stolen data, they could use it to break into more accounts and computers, steal secret information, even steal money. Potentially, the attackers could even download ransomware on the infected computers.

Ransomware is a big threat to businesses. Even those that have backups might have their time wasted by such attacks.

It spreads in unexpected ways

XLoader is Malware-as-a-Service. It’s created by one group of cybercriminals, then rented to other groups. Anyone who wants can buy XLoader for a limited time and use it to steal information.

Apparently, it currently costs $49 to use XLoader for macOS for one month.

It’s up to these buyers to infect their targets with XLoader. The methods to spread spyware are similar to those used to distribute ransomware:

• emails with malicious attachments,
• remote access account hacks,
• exploit kits online.

Because any group can buy the XLoader malware, these attacks could be highly targeted. For instance, a local group of cybercriminals could target a local business as they have the knowledge needed to pull that off.

How to delete XLoader and protect yourself

According to Check Point, XLoader was built to be difficult for antivirus scanners to detect. Despite that, some versions of XLoader and FormBook are flagged by security programs: Virustotal.com. Security programs detect XLoader and FormBook by names like Trojan, TrojanSpy, Malware, Injector, and Spyware.

If you protect your computer with antivirus programs, such as Spyhunter for Windows, Spyhunter for Mac, and others, trojans like XLoader may be stopped before they get in. But don’t solely rely on your security software. Sophisticated threats sometimes do get around built-in protections and antivirus software.

Antivirus programs that detect XLoader should be able to delete, too. To stop XLoader and other malware manually, kill malicious processes. You can use Safe Mode, Process Explorer, Autoruns to troubleshoot your PC.

To avoid XLoader and other infections, it helps to be careful:

• install Windows/macOS updates,
• don’t open suspicious email attachments or links,
• block malicious ads and websites,
• don’t download apps and programs from online pop-ups,
• disable macros in Office documents without notification,
• to protect your accounts from being hacked, use multi-factor authentication wherever possible.

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