Windows
This Potentially Unwanted Application arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
It connects to a website to send and receive information.
Arrival Details
This Potentially Unwanted Application arrives on a system as a file dropped by other malware or as a file downloaded unknowingly by users when visiting malicious sites.
Installation
This Potentially Unwanted Application drops the following component file(s):
Autostart Technique
This Potentially Unwanted Application registers itself as a system service to ensure its automatic execution at every system startup by adding the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\{Malware Filename}ak
Other System Modifications
This Potentially Unwanted Application deletes the following files:
It adds the following registry entries:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\{Malware Filename}ak
Type = 1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\{Malware Filename}ak
ErrorControl = 1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\{Malware Filename}ak
Start = 1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\{Malware Filename}ak
ImagePath = \??\{Malware Path}\{Malware Filename}ak.sys
Backdoor Routine
This Potentially Unwanted Application connects to the following websites to send and receive information:
Adware Routine
This Potentially Unwanted Application deletes the following registry keys that were created during execution:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\{Malware Filename}ak\Enum
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\
services\{Malware Filename}ak
Information Theft
This Potentially Unwanted Application gathers the following data:
Other Details
This Potentially Unwanted Application does the following:
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Note that not all files, folders, and registry keys and entries are installed on your computer during this malware's/spyware's/grayware's execution. This may be due to incomplete installation or other operating system conditions. If you do not find the same files/folders/registry information, please proceed to the next step.
Step 3
Restart in Safe Mode
Step 4
Delete this registry value
Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
Step 5
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as PUA.Win64.PCHunter.A. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check the following Trend Micro Support pages for more information: