Ramnit
Also known as: W32.Ramnit, Nimnul, Virus:W32/Ramnit, Virus.Ramnit, Trojan:W32/Ramnit, VBS/Ramnit, Trojan:HTML.Ramnit, W32/Jadtre, Win32.Virus.Wapomi, Win32/Ramni.
Category: Malware
Type: Worm, banking trojan, virus
Platform: Windows
Variants: Trojan.Win32.RAMNIT.A, Win32/Ramnit.B, Virus:W32/Ramnit.N, Trojan.Win32.Zenpak.bdt, Virus.Win32.Nimnul.f, Win32.Ramnit.F, Virus/W32.Ramnit.C. Ramnit.A is the most common variant. Ramnit has evolved over time and some variants have been merged with other threats (like the Zeus Trojan) to create a more sophisticated and dangerous malware.
Damage potential: replicates itself in infected devices, ads devices to a botnet, steals sensitive data, creates backdoors, downloads additional malware, spreads through removable devices and shared networks.
Overview
Ramnit is a malicious computer worm that targets Windows devices by infecting exe, DLL, and HTML files. Ramnit emerged around 2010 and was originally designed to steal financial data like credit card or banking information. It has been merged and updated many times to become a dangerous banking trojan, entering systems in secret, installing backdoors, stealing passwords, and giving attackers unrestricted access to the infected system.
Possible symptoms
If you notice unfamiliar transactions in your bank account or can no longer even access it, chances are Ramint was successful in stealing your credentials. But there are some signs that you can look out for and remove the malware before it’s too late:
- Sluggish device performance.
- Unexpected system behavior and crashes.
- Unauthorized changes to computer settings.
- Unusual network traffic or unauthorized outbound connections.
- Security software being disabled or compromised.
- Appearance of unrecognized files, particularly with EXE, DLL, or HTML extensions.
Sources of the infection
As a computer worm, Ramnit infects the targeted device by replicating itself rapidly and widely. They only need the initial contact to enter the system, and no further human intervention is necessary. Here are some ways you can accidentally let Ramnit into your device:
Through infected removable drives (USBs, memory cards, external hard drives.)
By downloading malicious files from the internet, especially from untrusted sources.
By visiting compromised websites that host exploit kits.
Through malvertising — clicking on malicious advertisements that redirect you to malware-hosting sites.
By opening email attachments containing the malicious payload.
Protection
If you want to protect your devices from malware, vigilance and common sense will take you a long way — but using additional security software is also a good idea. Try NordVPN’s Threat Protection — it will protect you from accidentally downloading malicious files from the internet and keep you away from malware-ridden websites.
Here are some more things you can do to keep Ramnit away:
- Keep all software and the operating system updated.
- Avoid downloading files or clicking on links from untrusted sources.
- Disable the autorun feature for removable drives.
- Be cautious with email attachments, especially if they`re unsolicited.
- Use a firewall to monitor and block suspicious network activity.
- Use web filtering solutions to block access to malicious websites.
Ramnit removal
Ramnit is a serious threat, and its removal might require professional assistance. But if you want to take care of it on your own, here are a few things you can do:
Disconnect the infected computer from the network to prevent further spread.
Boot Windows into Safe Mode to restrict the malware’s operations.
Use a reliable and up-to-date antivirus to scan and remove the threat. Some security software might have specialized tools specifically to remove Ramnit.
Infected external storage devices.
Manually delete any suspicious and unrecognized files, especially in system directories — but only do so if you know what files are supposed to be there.
If possible, it’s best to consider a full system wipe. If you regularly back up your files and the infection is deeply rooted, it’s the safest and least complicated route to take. Either way, after you’ve removed Ramnit from your device, change all passwords, especially for online banking and other critical accounts, because they might have been compromised.