Share this article
Improve this guide
Gamarue malware: How it works and how to remove it
8 min. read
Updated onApril 3, 2024
updated onApril 3, 2024
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Key notes
Gamarue is an invasive and one of the most severe malware strains around. Dubbed Win32/GamarueMalwareby MicrosoftSoftwareSecurity, the program literally works to take over your computer.
Themalwarecan change your PC’s security settings as well as download malicious files from the internet and install them onto your computer.
This family ofmalwarewill download and install files and folders directly onto your PC’s Registry to disable some functions and get permission for others.
The Gamarue malware will also make changes to your web browser’s settings as well as add toolbars, adware,browserredirects, add-ons, and extensions. All of this without ever asking for your permission.
How does Gamarue malware infect computers?
There are many possible ways the Gamarue malware can worm itself into your computer system. It can be through infectedUSBdrives.
It also affects external hard drives you connect to your computer, as well as through attachments to spammy emails that show up in your inbox.
Themalwarewill then download malicious files onto your computer and make registry changes.
Perhaps most disturbingly, Gamarue’s first act once it infects your computer is to make changes to the startup folder in the registry so all the rogue software it installs launches on startup.
Once this happens you are literally at the mercy of themalware. Microsoft cites a few signs you can use to tell if Gamarue has infected your computer:
The malware opens you up to all manner ofthreats. For one, it can give hackers remote access to your computer.
They will use plugins and other add-ons themalwareinstalls on your computer to harvest your personal information, including passwords and banking information.
Besides exposing you to thesethreats, themalwarewill also make changes to your computer andbrowserthat can open the door to viruses that harm your computer and corrupt your files.
Win32/Gamarue is known to target majorbrowserslike Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox.
By adding extensions and dubiousbrowsers, themalwarecan unleash spammy adware that slows your computer and disturbs your browsing experience.
How to remove Gamarue malware from your computer
1. Scan your computer
Before you do anything, you will want to neutralize the malwarethreatand stop it from spreading to the rest of your files. The best way to do that is by restarting your computer in Safe Mode.
If you encounter problems while trying to restart your PC in Safe Mode, thisawesome guidewill help you fix them.
Safe Mode will start the PC with only the basic services running, which prevents the malicioussoftwareinstalled by themalwarefrom launching on startup.
Then, we strongly recommend that you run an in-depth or full scan of your computer, which should remove any malicious elements.
On this note,an antivirus would be just the right solution since it can detect a wide range of viruses, worms, Trojans, rootkits, and other harmful software, eliminating it from your system.
The software is quite popular, thanks to its user-friendly interface and intuitive options.
The installation process is quick and easy.Once you finalize the setup, the antivirus takes over the computer’s defenses and replacesWindows Defenderas your primary anti-malware solution.
Run the on-demand scan option immediately after installation, to allow the tool to check for vulnerabilities in your device’s system. The process might take up to half an hour.
ESET HOME Security Premium
2. Manually search the Windows Registry for malicious malware
But beware, deleting or making changes to the wrong files in your registry will harm your computer. Before you proceed, backup your registry so can easily restore it if something goes wrong.
If you are not sure how to backup your Windows 10, learn everything about it in thisthorough articleand see what you need to do.
If you are not sure whether a file is safe or not, better look for professional help, since you might delete some important files.
3. Reset your browser settings
Undoing all the changes made to yourbrowsersettings ensures a clean browser and helps you get rid of extensions and spammy add-ons.
This will strip yourbrowserof all extensions and add-ons. Sadly, even those extensions you added yourself will be removed. You will thus need to add them all from scratch.
We also recommend switching to a more safer browser that will have some kind of in-built adblock system and extra protection features that will keep you safe from malware.
⇒Get Opera
4. Disable autorun in Windows
We have discussed how USB thumb drives and other portable drives can be used to spreadmalwarelike Win32Gamarue.
The infection is usually a consequence of the Autorun or Autoplay feature that is set as default on most Windows PCs.
Every time you connect an external drive to your computer the PC will use the option you chose the last time you connected a similar external drive to open the files on the drive.
The consequence is, without Windows Defender or similar protection, the Autorun feature will inadvertently run malicioussoftwarethat will infect your computer.
Themalwarewill then make harmful changes to your PC’s registry and install plugins that steal your passwords and other important personal information.
One way to avoid running this risk is to disable Autorun on your computer. We wrote anuseful articlededicated to disabling the autorun feature in Windows 10, so check that out.
With the Autorun feature turned off, as in the image above, you can be sure your computer will not automatically run any malicioussoftwareattached to the portable drives you may connect to your computer.
There is always a risk these portable drives will havemalwareon them, especially if you sometimes use them on other people’s machines or if you use them to store files you download off the internet.
How to prevent Gamarue infections
1. Replace your passwords with stronger ones
Cleaning your PC of the Gamarue malware and all the malicious add-ons, plugins, and extensions will remove any immediatethreaton your machine.
However there is a risk your personal information may already have fallen into the wrong hands.
To protect yourself, make sure you replace all your passwords with new, stronger ones. Also, check your e-banking accounts for any unauthorized purchases that may have been made.
Notify your bank or credit card issuer if you notice any suspicious activity on your credit cards.
It may not be a bad idea to check if your social media accounts haven’t been breached also.
2. Scan all removable drives
But, perhaps to totally eliminate thethreatposed bymalwarethat comes through your portable drives, always scan USB drives, and any media device, before you connect them to your computer.
If you don’t know how to scan your USB flash drive, check out thisquick listof the best antivirus for USB scanning.
Continuing the idea set forward in the first solution, you shouldclean your computerperiodically with a full scan, to remove allmalware, viruses, and bugs you pick up through yourweb browser.
Importantly, make sure all your antivirus software is up-to-date and that it is always enabled, especially when you are working online.
Otherwise, always be vigilant and avoid visiting websites with expired security certificates. Today it can be Gamarue, tomorrow it may be a totally newmalware, with a different mode of infection.
Tell us if you’ve been affected by Gamarue malware or if you’ve succeeded in eliminating it. Any feedback will be helpful for the community.
More about the topics:malware,malware removal
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
