Amazon virus. How to delete? (Removal tutorial)
Amazon virus operates in different shapes
Amazon virus functions as malware which may come in different forms of a browser hijacker, malware or a trojan. It may also corrupt the device via a corrupted application.
It is necessary to note that the infection is not related to the online shop – Amazon – in any way. In fact, it benefits from its famous name to disguise its malevolent origin. It also tends to spread as a browser extension named as Amazon Assistant Smart Search engine, for instance.
Unfortunately, due to its different forms, Amazon virus removal requires different measures as well. In any case, it is highly recommended to scan the device with Reimage or Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes.
IT researchers spotted the first signs of the malware already in 2012. The campaign includes fake spam emails supposedly sent by Amazon support page.
Furthermore, similar phishing attacks technique only encourage other fraudsters to engage in a felony. Some of the malware samples target users’ sensitive information or meddle with registry or security app settings.
The diversity of scams
One of the most frequent includes sending forged emails about ‘cancelled order.’ Due to the popularity of Amazon shop, there is a high probability that a hoax email would reach a user, who, indeed, is waiting for the order to be delivered.
Alternative versions may attempt to deceive users with fake invoices or notifications about unsuccessful payments. There are also scam versions which try to persuade gullible into activating a fake verification code.
Other types of spam emails tempt you to open the attached file. Such email would deceive users that crucial information is placed in a .zip folder.
One must use the information within to proceed with the payment or order delivery. All in all, cyber villains do not cease astonishing the virtual community with more insidious hacking and deception strategies.
Therefore, the malware category keeps diversifying as it already acquires its alternative names “Amazon phishing email 2017” or “Amazon virus email 2017.” Now let us discuss a most prevalent sample of Amazon virus.
Locky virus scam. Last year Locky ransomware has made its name imprinted in the history of most destructive ransomware.
Unfortunately, it keeps terrifying users with new versions, Lukitus being one of them. In 2016, besides Facebook, Locky developers also assaulted Amazon community by bombarding them with fake emails which came from auto-shipping(@)amazon.com.
Auto-confirm[@]amazon-payments-support.co.uk scam. The subject ‘Your Amazon.com Order Has Dispatched [#random number]’, unfortunately, persuaded users into reading the email and extracting the content of a fake invoice email. Unfortunately, little did they know what menace they had activated.
Auto-confirm[@]amazon-payments-support.co.uk scam was set up to convince users to purchase goods at incredibly low prices. Certainly, discounts and giveaways always attract attention.
If you, after all, give in to the temptation to purchase a smart TV set or mobile device for a low price, sooner or later, you will sense the fraud as felons will ask you contact them outside Amazon platform and not some shady domain as auto-confirm[@]amazon-payments-support.co.uk. Further on, they might fool into paying additional fees for the commodity or even wheedle out credit card information.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to conduct purchases within Amazon platform and avoid performing any instructions if you suspect that the sender is not Amazon.
Amazon Prime scam. This type of felony attempts to wheedle out personal information such as credit card and email login credentials. Usually, such deception involves bombarding users with fake Amazon account verification emails.
By clicking on the link, victims are redirects to a forged website which imitates the original version. Unfortunately, entering the details in such website helps racketeers acquire your personal data. Note that such spam messages may come from the emails such as order-update@amazon.
Note that the emails may seem very persuasive, but you can look through the disguise by paying attention to these aspects:
- look for grammar and style mistakes, and typos
- verify the sender before opening an email supposedly sent by Amazon support group
- scan the attachment with a reliable anti-virus utility
Note that genuine Amazon support emails do not send you requirements about the necessity to verify your account unless you requested for a password reset or you have attempted to log in to your account successfully several times in a row.
Go to 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, open 'Add/Remove Programs').
If you are 'Windows 10 / Windows 8' user, click on Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen to open 'Quick Access Menu'. Then click 'Control Panel' and select 'Uninstall a Program'.
Right-click every suspicious program and select 'Uninstall'
Click on 'Go' to open a drop-down menu and select 'Applications'.
Click on each malicious application and select 'Move to Trash'
Open browser menu and go to 'Manage add-ons'
To eliminate malicious applications, right-click on each of them and click 'Disable'
Delete suspicious URL, type in your preferable site name and click 'Apply' to save
In 'Advanced' tab, click 'Reset'. Then tick 'Delete personal settings' and click 'Reset'.
Open Settings and click on 'Choose what to clear' button
Click 'Clear'
Right-click the Start button again and choose 'Task Manager'
Right-click on 'Microsoft Edge' and choose 'Go to details' option
If 'Go to details' option does not show up, choose 'More details' instead
Locate all entries that relate to Microsoft Edge and click 'End Task'
Open Microsoft Edge folder on your PC, click every entry with the right mouse button and select 'Delete'
Locate where Windows PowerShell is, right-click on it and click on 'Run as administrator' option
Copy and then paste the necessary command and hit 'Enter'
Open browser menu and go to 'Add-ons'
Go to 'Extensions' and locate malicious browser add-ons. Hit 'Remove' button to delete each entry
Open menu by clicking on the indicated icon and on '?'. Then select 'Troubleshooting Information'.
Hit 'Reset Firefox' button a few times
Open browser's menu, then click 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
Find malicious extensions and click on the Trash bin icon to remove them
Once you open browser's 'Settings', click on 'Manage search engines...' button
Remove malicious search sites by clicking 'X'
When in 'Settings', click Show advanced settings and then find 'Reset browser settings' button. Click on it.
Click 'Reset' to finish the removal process.
Click on 'Safari' and then select 'Preferences'
Go to 'Extensions' and remove untrustworthy extensions
Click on 'Safari' and then select 'Reset Safari...'
Select all checkboxes and click 'Reset'
Detecting fraudulent emails
As discussed below, Amazon virus most likely comes in the form of spam emails. Additionally, beware pf the websites which pretend to be affiliated with Amazon and asks for your personal information.
Bear in mind the above-discussed tips to escape activating Amazon virus hijack. Some malware elimination software blocks spam emails and divert you from fake websites. Finally, your vigilance also plays a significant role in maintaining cyber security.
Eliminate Amazon virus and ensure the safety of your data
In case you suspect that your browser was compromised or your inbox is overcrowded with emails supposedly sent by Amazon, they might be the primary signs that it is time to remove Amazon virus.
You can do so with the assistance of malware elimination utility. If you got infected with ransomware via a fake Amazon email attachment, then you will have to reboot the system in Safe Mode and launch the updated malware elimination utility.
In case you are dealing with the browser version of Amazon malware, besides scanning the device, delete its web elements and extensions. Resetting browser settings will also contribute to Amazon virus removal. You can find this function under the Settingsof your browser.
You can remove virus damage automatically with a help of one of these programs: Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes. We recommend these applications because they detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
