Facebook "hahaha" virus: what it is and how to remove it
Facebook "hahaha" virus is a social engineering attack and a spam campaign aimed at users who frequent this social network. In most cases, a phishing message is delivered via the Messenger application, although it often comes from victims' friends or friends of friends accounts, which makes the scam so much more believable.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Facebook "hahaha" virus: summary
| Distribution | Malicious messages with embedded links come via Facebook's Messenger app |
|---|---|
| Name | Facebook "hahaha" virus |
| Type | Account hijacking, malware, scam |
| Symptoms | Spam is being sent from your Facebook account to friends and friends of friends; malware infection symptoms vary and highly depend on the infection type (from an increased amount of ads encountered online to severe computer slowdowns and system crashes) |
| Dangers | Sensitive information disclosure to cybercriminals (privacy issues), identity theft, other malware infections, money loss, etc. |
| Downloaded files | Pictr_357.Zip, Copy_0027.Zip, Image0905.Zip |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 7 more facts
| Termination | If you have been affected by Facebook "hahaha" virus, you should immediately change the password of your Facebook account and perform a full system scan with anti-malware software |
|---|---|
| System fix | Malware infections might seriously damage Windows operating systems |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 2 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| First seen | 6 February 2020 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
What Facebook "hahaha" virus does on an infected PC
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
Facebook "hahaha" virus is an attempt to scam users into downloading malicious software
Facebook "hahaha" virus is a social engineering attack and a spam campaign aimed at users who frequent this social network.
In most cases, a phishing message is delivered via the Messenger application, although it often comes from victims' friends or friends of friends accounts, which makes the scam so much more believable.
The PM includes the "hahaha" phase and a link that allegedly would lead users to a video about them. Unfortunately, once the link is clicked, the Facebook "hahaha" virus will continue sending spam to target's friends, and might even result in more serious malware infections.
The "hahaha" virus is one of many Facebook virus versions that seeks to infect users' computers with malware, extort sensitive information, use their machine for spam, open a backdoor, or gain access to their Facebook account to spread the threat further.
Facebook "hahaha" virus removal highly depends on what the malicious link was programmed to do. For example, in some cases, changing a Facebook account password would suffice, while malware infection should be terminated with security software.
Besides hijacking the victim's account, Facebook "hahaha" virus might also direct users to malicious websites where an automatic download of files like Pictr_357.Zip, Copy_0027.Zip, Image0905.Zip, or similar ones, might be initiated. If launched, these could result in severe malware infections, decrease the system's defenses, etc.
Both Facebook and Messenger are popular platforms used by millions of people, which makes it a perfect target for cybercriminals. Social engineering is that makes it easier for them to make users click on malicious links, as the Facebook "hahaha" virus message is meant to spark curiosity - users believe that there is actually a video about them that might be potentially incriminating or shameful.
Here are some Facebook "hahaha" virus examples of messages delivered to users:
As soon as any of the previously mentioned .Zip files are downloaded, and the .Jar file is launched, this malware starts its activity. Several malware types could be associated with Facebook "hahaha" virus, including:
It is believed that Facebook "hahaha" virus is mostly used for Bitcoin mining. However, it can be involved in other dangerous activities as well, as mentioned above. If you noticed that your computer speed decreased and your Facebook account started sending "hahaha" or similar messages to your friends, your PC is infected with this serious malware.
To remove Facebook "hahaha" virus, immediately scan your machine with reputable anti-malware software, reset the installed web browsers, change your Facebook password, and use to fix the damage done by malware.
- Cryptojackers - these parasites are designed to suck up your CPU and/or GPU in order to mine cryptocurrency for malicious actors and deliver the funds directly into their crypto-wallets;
- RATs (Remote Access Trojans) - these malicious programs allow the attackers to gain remote access of your machine;
- Backdoors serve as a link between malicious servers and the host machine - they are often used to proliferate other malware or include the computer into a massive botnet;
- Redirect viruses can intercept the HTTP traffic and links users to potentially malicious sites, generating profits for cybercriminals in the meantime;
- Info-stealers can be used to track every keyboard press made by the victim and also read sensitive information on sites like online banking.
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
Facebook "hahaha" virus infection methods
As we have already mentioned, Facebook "hahaha" virus is spread via "hahaha" messages that are sent via Facebook's private messaging.
In most of the cases, it looks like they belong to your friends, so there is no surprise why this malware has been successfully spreading around. If you click on this fake message, you are involuntarily involved in the distribution of Facebook "hahaha" virus, and your friends can also be infected no matter which OS, Windows, or Mac, they use.
In addition to that, your computer is turned into a bitcoin mining machine and used for other dangerous activities. Please, avoid such fake messages, no matter how trustworthy or tempting they look. If you have already clicked on its attachment, you should check your PC for Facebook "hahaha" virus. Read the following paragraph to get more info about that.
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Facebook "hahaha" virus
- Hi (Name), (Person's name) commented on your status.
- (Person) wrote: "hahahaha (Person's Name) i can not belieeve whaaat you did in thisss videeooo its so embarrassing its all over face book!!!!!
- Remove the Spaacess ---> www.
- Omg hahah have you seen this photo u got tagged in LOL —>
How to remove Facebook "hahaha" virus
A loader's job is to install other malware, so treat the PC as infected with more than one program until the scans are clean.
Step 1: Delete scheduled tasks that bring it back
Open Task Scheduler from the Start menu and click Task Scheduler Library. Select each task you do not recognise and read the Actions tab:
- a task that starts a file in
%AppData%or%Temp% - runs
powershellwith a long encoded line - opens a web address belongs to Facebook "hahaha" virus or a similar program
Right-click such a task and choose Delete, and check the subfolders too. Leave tasks from Microsoft, your PC's maker and programs you use. Task Scheduler is the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Task Scheduler Library, the task selected, the Actions tab shows the file it runs. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
- a task that starts a file in
Step 2: Remove it from startup
Whatever Facebook "hahaha" virus installed usually starts with Windows.
Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to Startup apps in Windows 11 or the Startup tab in Windows 10, and disable what you do not know, starting with entries that have an empty Publisher column.
Open file location on the right-click menu shows the file, which helps you decide and tells you what to delete later. Disabling is safe: if something you need stops working, switch it back on.
Full procedure with screenshots: Stop apps from opening at startup On uGetFix
Step 3: Delete the folders left behind
What the uninstaller leaves behind is usually in the user folders. Open File Explorer, switch on View > Show > Hidden items (in Windows 10 View > Hidden items), and go through
%LocalAppData%,%AppData%, %ProgramData% and the two Program Files folders.Sort by Date modified and delete folders that appeared together with the problem and belong to no program you use. Folders with random names that hold
.exe,.dll, .js or .ps1 files are the strongest sign.Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Change passwords from another device and sign out other sessions
Assume that the passwords saved in this PC's browsers, and the accounts that were open in them, are known to the attacker. From a phone or a clean computer, change the e-mail password first, then banking, shopping, social and gaming accounts.
Use each service's option to sign out of all other sessions, because stolen cookies keep a session open even after a password change. Turn on two-step verification on each account. Wait with the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC until the scans are clean.
Full procedure with screenshots: Turn on two-step verification / secure a hacked account
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of Feb 2020 · not reviewed since
Facebook "hahaha" virus removal instructions
First of all, if you click on the malicious Facebook "hahaha" link, you should immediately take action to secure your account.
However, before that, you need to ensure that, by clicking on the link, you did not installed malware on your computer. Note that some viruses might disable your security tools - access Safe Mode with Networking, as explained below.
In case you do not remove Facebook "hahaha" virus on time, you might face severe consequences, such as system slowdowns, money loss, or even identity theft.
After Facebook "hahaha" virus removal, you should change your Facebook password immediately, as malicious actors can keep using your social media account for many other malicious purposes. If you had a credit card linked to your account, they could misuse it to steal money from you. To change your Facebook password, follow these instructions:
[GI=method-1]In case malware interferes with your security software, access Safe Mode with Networking:
- Login to your Facebook account
- Click on the arrow at the top-right of the window
- Select Settings
- Pick Security and Login on the left
- On the right side, locate Change password and click Edit
- Type in the current password and a new one (use alphanumeric characters for complexity)
- Click Save Changes
After removal: passwords, accounts and prevention
Your passwords after Facebook "hahaha" virus
Removing Facebook "hahaha" virus does not undo what it may already have sent out while the PC showed facebook "hahaha" virus in the list of installed apps.
Treat saved browser passwords and logged-in sessions on this PC as known to the attacker.
From another device, change the e-mail password first and end all its sessions. Then do the same for the bank, PayPal, Microsoft, Google and Apple accounts. Stolen session cookies keep working after a password change until you sign out everywhere.
Move crypto to a new wallet created on a clean device. A step-by-step order for every kind of account is in our guide to account security after an infection.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
Questions about Facebook "hahaha" virus
Is Facebook "hahaha" virus a virus?
Most programs that appear the way Facebook "hahaha" virus did are not viruses in the strict sense. They are potentially unwanted programs:
- real software that arrives bundled with other downloads and then shows offers
- changes browser settings
- starts with Windows
Some are harmless, some are annoying and a few carry adware. What makes it worth removing is that you did not choose it.
Uninstall it from Installed apps and check the startup list and the browsers for anything added the same day. If it refuses to uninstall or returns after a restart, treat it as more serious and run a Microsoft Defender offline scan.
Facebook "hahaha" virus came back after I uninstalled it. Why?
Something else is reinstalling it. Common causes are a second program from the same publisher, a scheduled task that downloads it again, or a browser extension that keeps prompting for it. Sort Installed apps by install date and uninstall each entry from the same day that you did not choose.
Then open Task Scheduler and look in the Task Scheduler Library for tasks with updater-style names that you do not recognise. Check Startup apps in Task Manager too. If Facebook "hahaha" virus still returns, start Windows in Safe Mode, uninstall it there and run a Microsoft Defender offline scan, which looks for loaders that ordinary scans can miss.
Should I reset my PC because of Facebook "hahaha" virus?
Only if the signs point to deeper access. Reset when you see facebook "hahaha" virus in the list of installed apps again after removal, when Windows Security cannot start or update, when remote access tools you did not install keep appearing, or when you simply cannot trust the PC any more.
Otherwise, the plan in this guide plus an offline scan is enough. If you do reset, choose Remove everything and Cloud download for a fresh copy of Windows, restore only documents and photos, and reinstall programs from their official sites. Change important passwords from the clean system afterwards.
How dangerous is Facebook "hahaha" virus?
Treat it as serious until proven otherwise. The visible sign is facebook "hahaha" virus in the list of installed apps, and programs that behave this way often have more abilities than they show:
- copying passwords
- downloading other malware
- giving remote access
Its family is not known yet, so nobody can say which of these it uses. The good news is that the response is the same in every case and takes about an hour:
- cut the network
- remove the startup entry
- run an offline scan
- change passwords from a clean device
If someone had remote control, a full reset is safer.
What are the signs of a trojan infection?
Most trojans try to leave no visible signs, so look for side effects. Common ones:
- Windows Security turned off or unable to update
- new entries in Startup apps or Task Scheduler
- programs in Installed apps you did not install
- browser settings that changed by themselves
- unusual network activity while the PC is idle
- password-reset or login-alert e-mails you did not trigger
None of these proves an infection on its own. Together with an antivirus alert naming Facebook "hahaha" virus, they are a strong reason to follow the full plan.
Can Facebook "hahaha" virus spread to other devices on my network?
Most trojans aimed at home users stay on the PC they infected, but an attacker with remote access can look at the network, open shared folders and try passwords on other devices. Loaders sometimes deliver worms or ransomware that do spread.
Disconnect the PC while cleaning, run a full scan on other Windows PCs, change the router's admin password and the Wi-Fi password if they were saved on the infected PC, and update the router's firmware. If other PCs show the same detection, treat them as infected too.
Which malware family is Facebook "hahaha" virus?
That is not known yet. Facebook "hahaha" virus has been reported by people who saw facebook "hahaha" virus in the list of installed apps, but no sample has been analysed publicly, so security companies have not assigned it to a family. The name you see may be a file or program name chosen by the authors, not a family name.
This does not stop you from removing it: the startup points, the offline scan and the account steps are the same for most families of this type. If Microsoft Defender or another scanner gives the file a detection name, write it down; that name is the best clue to the family and is useful when you report the incident.
Why didn't my antivirus stop Facebook "hahaha" virus?
New trojan builds are packed and changed often so that signatures do not match, and some are signed with stolen or bought certificates. Many arrive inside password-protected archives, which scanners cannot open until you extract them.
Some downloads also tell the user to turn off the antivirus "because it gives false alarms", a common line in cracked software instructions. Keep real-time protection on, never disable it for an installer, and run the offline scan whenever you suspect something slipped through.
Can a normal remote support program be a backdoor?
Yes. Tools such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer and ScreenConnect are legitimate, but whoever controls the account behind them controls the PC. Scammers install them during fake support calls, and some trojan campaigns install them silently because antivirus programs do not flag a genuine, signed product.
If you find one you did not set up, uninstall it, check Startup apps for related entries and change passwords from another device. If money or accounts were involved, call your bank and report the incident.
Will Fortect remove Facebook "hahaha" virus?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Facebook "hahaha" virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 7, 2026)