Ardamax Keylogger. How to remove? (Uninstall guide)
Ardamax Keylogger – a popular spying tool among hackers
Ardamax Keylogger virus defines malevolent activity[1] which is designed to record users' keystrokes using legitimate Ardamax software. Though it has been created for professional processes, cyber villains took a liking of the program.
Even if you download the program from its official site, detecting the tool might be troublesome. Since it has a Hidden Mode, crooks make use of this functionality to disguise the activities of the program and record your keystrokes.
The latest version. 4.6, allows the admin see every keystroke on the target system, capture chats, use visual surveillance, or even use the microphone to record audio. The program manages to hide itself and silently monitor victim’s computer without being detected.
Once installed, it adds IJE.exe file to %APPDATA% folder, also akv.exe and QXI.exe files to %PROGRAMFILES% directory. In addition, you may notice two Winlogon.exe processes. Though ending the task of the legitimate command may lead to sever system issues, it is not recommended to cancel the task as determining which command is genuine might be confusing.
If you cannot detect the program, but suspect the unwanted presence or your email account passwords have been changed, you can use anti-virus or anti-rootkit tools to detect the software. For instance, Kaspersky anti-virus tool may help you identify you it, while certain anti-rootkit tools created by Malwarebytes company assists in getting rid of the malware. You may also find Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes useful in performing Ardamax Keylogger malware removal.
Once someone installs this program on your computer, most likely you will not be able to see it in Windows Task Manager or Programs menu because the program manages to disappear from these locations. This program violates your privacy and sends comprehensive logs to the person that monitors it. This tool might be used against you by your mistrustful second half, employer, or parents.
What is worse, it is almost impossible to understand that a computer is being monitored by such programs because it shows no signs of existence. The only signs that can reveal someone’s bad intentions are their know-too-much talks or noticeable system slowdowns.
If you suspect that someone has installed this keylogger on your system, remove Ardamax Keylogger with an anti-malware tool like Reimage or Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes. To remove it, start your PC in a Safe Mode with Networking first. If you do not know how to reboot your PC in this mode, follow Ardamax removal instructions provided below.
Select 'Safe Mode with Networking'
Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Networking'
Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next'
Select your restore point and click 'Next'
Click 'Yes' and start system restore
Detecting spyware
Keyloggers are not viruses, and they do not self-replicate. This tool is a paid program that can be downloaded from its official website. To reach your computer system, it needs to be installed manually. So if you discovered this tracking software on your system, you should think about people who have access to your computer.
One of them probably was trying to find answers to questions they didn’t want to ask you directly. You should definitely talk to such people, but first of all, delete this keylogger from the system to terminate its activity.
Terminate Ardamax Keylogger
Although the attacker can set the key combination that launches the keylogger, we suggest you try this combination: CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+H[2]. The official developer also promotes its specific tool to remove Ardamax keylogger. You might try it as well.This way, you might successfully open the program and find out where it sends the collected information.
You should find an email address that receives log files filled with data about you and your activities online. However, if you cannot launch the program this way but you still believe that the system is infected with this keylogger, you should read Ardamax removal instructions provided below the article and prepare the machine for the elimination of this shady program. All users, not only US or PRC[3] residents, should be wary of keyloggers.
To remove Ardamax virus, we suggest using anti-malware tools because it is hard to find such program that is programmed to stay hidden and spy on the user as long as possible.
Ardamax Keylogger manual removal:
akl.exe,akv.exe,nsk.exe
Delete registry values:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunArdamax Keylogger
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunNSK
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareArdamax Keylogger Lite
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsApp Pathsakl.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallArdamax Keylogger
Delete files:
akl.exe,akv.exe,nsk.exe,il.dll,kh.dll,akv.ini,settings.ini
Delete directories:
C:Program FilesArdamax Keylogger
C:Program FilesNSK
To remove Ardamax Keylogger, follow these steps:
Remove Ardamax Keylogger using Safe Mode with Networking
Please read the following instructions carefully. You will need to start your anti-malware software when the computer is running in a Safe Mode with Networking; if you do not have an anti-malware software, boot the computer as instructed below and then download one of malware removers that we recommend.
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Networking
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
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Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Remove Ardamax Keylogger
Log in to your infected account and start the browser. Download Reimage or other legitimate anti-spyware program. Update it before a full system scan and remove malicious files that belong to your ransomware and complete Ardamax Keylogger removal.
If your ransomware is blocking Safe Mode with Networking, try further method.
Remove Ardamax Keylogger using System Restore
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
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Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
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Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of Ardamax Keylogger. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from Ardamax Keylogger and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as Reimage, Malwarebytes MalwarebytesCombo Cleaner or Plumbytes Anti-MalwareMalwarebytes Malwarebytes
About the author
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References
- ^ Violet Blue. Keyloggers: Beware this hidden threat. PCWorld. News, tips, and reviews from the experts on PCs, Windows, and more.
- ^ Hidden Mode. |Ardamax Software. Official site.
- ^ Eliminate computer threats. Wubingdu. IT News and malware elimination tools .