What is the Mozart Malware?

The Mozart malware is a new backdoor malware that uses the DNS protocol to communicate with remote attackers as a way of evading detection by antivirus programs and intrusion detection systems in general. With the help of the malware, attackers can execute various commands on an infected computer. As a malware loader, Mozart can be used to execute commands that result to the downloading and the subsequent installation of other malicious software. That’s why it is one of the most sought-after viruses by cybercriminals.

What Can the Mozart Malware Do?

The hackers behind the Mozart malware use DNS TXT records to store commands that are then executed on a victim’s computer. They may use the records to infect a PC with malicious software, such as ransomware, cryptocurrency miners, bots, and other remote access Trojans.

Infection by this virus can cause serious problems, such as identity theft, file destruction, monetary loss, blackmail, and other issues related to privacy. Thus, Mozart is simply a very dangerous remote access Trojan (RAT) that needs to be removed from your computer ASAP.

How to Remove the Mozart Malware

Removing the Mozart malware is not an easy task because even if you were able to remove the offending program, you still have to deal with the security flaws that led to the infection to begin with. But first things first.

You will need an anti-malware solution such as Outbyte Antivirus to get the program out of your computer. Other than removing the malware, the anti-malware solution will also keep vigilance and prevent future infections. It goes without saying that an antivirus solution will also get rid of any other malware packages including bots, ransomware and infostealers that might have been loaded onto your computer, courtesy of the raccoon malware.

Are there other ways of removing the raccoon malware that don’t involve using a premium anti-malware solution? Lucky for you, there are plenty of other ways of eliminating any malware threat on a Windows PC that just involve using Windows default apps, settings, and utility tools. Here is a description of such two methods:

System Restore

The System Restore process is a Windows recovery process that entails reverting any changes to your computer’s apps and settings past a certain restore point. System Restore takes a “snapshot” of the OS and Windows registry, and saves them as restore points.

It is handy when dealing with problematic apps or settings that make your computer behave in unexpected ways. Assuming that a malware infection is so devastating that you cannot access the Windows sign-in screen, you will need to take the following steps to get to the SystemRestore option:

1. Hold the power button for about 10 seconds to switch off your computer.
2. Turn on your device by pressing the power button.
3. Switch it off again by holding the power button for another 10 seconds.
4. Turn it on again. Turn it on and off until you enter into the Windows Recovery Environment (winRE).
5. On the Choose an Option screen that appears, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore.
6. From the restore options available on your computer, choose the one that will restore your Windows configuration to a time when the infection had not manifested.
7. Follow the onscreen directions to complete the process.

Boot Windows into Safe Mode with Networking

Windows Safe Mode is a basic state that uses a limited set of files and drivers. It is a great diagnostic tool because if your computer does not experience any problems while on Safe Mode, it is an indication that default settings and apps are not to blame for the state of your device.

To boot your computer into Safe Mode, follow the instructions above (the ones leading to System Restore), but instead of choosing System Restore, select Startup Settings. Click the restart button that appears under startup settings. Once your computer restarts, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode or simply press the F5 key.

Now that you have enabled System Restore with Networking, you can use the internet and other shared resources to further troubleshoot issues affecting your computer.

How to Avoid the Mozart Malware

The Mozart malware mostly spreads through email phishing campaigns. So, if you could avoid opening email attachments from unfamiliar sources, or visiting unsecure sites, you could possibly halve the risks of ever getting infected by the malware.

It could also help if the apps on your computer are up-to date. Remember that the Mozart malware operates by exploiting vulnerabilities in commonly used software such as browsers and email clients. An up-to-date software is harder to exploit simply because they incorporate security patches.

Lastly and this goes without saying, install a premium anti-malware solution on your PC. Don’t be the kind to rely on free antivirus as they are not very effective against world-class malware such as the Mozart remote access Trojan.