HackTool:Win32/Patcher (Free Guide) - Virus Removal Instructions

HackTool:Win32/Patcher Removal Guide

What is HackTool:Win32/Patcher?

HackTool:Win32/Patcher is the heuristic name used for malware that has a purpose of patching programs to make them malicious

HackTool:Win32/PatcherHackTool:Win32/Patcher is the fake software developing malware that can even alter the legitimate program to run malicious processes.

HackTool:Win32/Patcher is the malicious programs detection name that states about a particular virus which can create pirated versions of applications. This malware is designed to create not legitimate versions of known software or alter the once safe program into a malicious application. HackTool.Patcher is the type of a particular cyber threat that can often be downloaded from sites of a questionable nature.[1]

This name can indicate various malware from worms, trojans or spyware, HackTool:Win32/Patcher virus is the general malware that was detected on the machine. Your machine can also be infected with W32/PEPatcher, Troj/Bdoor-AZC, and Virus.Win32.Oliga at the time when the AV or Windows Defender shows you this heuristic name. All of these are creations of cybercriminals and need to be deleted as soon as possible.

Name HackTool:Win32/Patcher
Type Malware
Can be A worm, trojan, spyware[2]
Mostly known as Patcher that creates pirated programs or alters safe applications into malware
Possibly related W32/PEPatcher, Troj/Bdoor-AZC, Virus.Win32.Oliga
Distribution Malicious websites, other malware
Elimination HackTool:Win32/Patcher removal requires anti-malware tools

These hacking tools are malicious and dangerous because threats like HackTool:Win32/Patcher can become a part of the serious malware campaign and hacker attack. Malicious actors use this type of malware to install other malware on the machine or access particular information, steal credentials.

HackTool:Win32/Patcher can be set to:

  • make legitimate programs malicious;
  • install additional software;
  • steal information stored on the machine;
  • get access to account or banking credentials.

When HackTool:Win32/Patcher gets on the system it can run in the background and cause all the needed damage, so once you get the detection alert, you need to focus on virus removal. It is not known how long this malware spent on the machine and how much damage it caused already.

Experts[3] note that HackTool:Win32/Patcher is not a Remote Access Tool that may be legitimate and somewhat safe. This is a threat used to access valuable information about the victim and steal other important details or files from the machine.

HackTool:Win32/Patcher is especially dangerous because the malware that can access valuable users' information may lead to more damage later on than it makes to the infected machine itself. If the virus is set to steal information or banking credentials it doesn't focus on damaging the system.

Nevertheless, you can remove HackTool:Win32/Patcher from the machine and possibly fix virus damage. In the meantime, privacy issues and identity theft are bigger problems that you cannot fight with any software. Fortunately, if you react as soon as possible the threat cannot have enough time to steal your private information.

When such malware infects the machine, you can notice slowness of the device or occasional crashes and freezes of the system due to additional processes malware runs on the device. HackTool:Win32/Patcher install other programs and files to ensure the persistence and alters Windows Registry keys to make every PC reboot launch its processes automatically.

HackTool:Win32/Patcher virusHackTool:Win32/Patcher is a heuristic name of the malware infection detected by the anti-malware tool.

You need to rely on proper tools that are designed to fight malware like ransomware, worms, trojans and other more dangerous versions of cyber threats. HackTool:Win32/Patcher removal can be quick and easy if you choose a trustworthy and legitimate tool like anti-malware programs.

Such software can also ensure that every file and program related to Hack Tool Patcher virus gets detected and eliminated. Also, programs like FortectIntego can fix virus damage and reinstall needed Windows files, that malware may damage or corrupt. The occasional full system scan cleans useless programs, files and improves the general performance of the device significantly.

Spam email attachments and files from fake updates, patches deliver worms and other silent malware

When you keep the system up-to-date it is especially important how you choose the software provider and the source of your files, programs. When you download illegal applications or patches and crack your operating system or tools, you risk getting malware installed at the same time. You should note that such malicious file may be hidden in those cracks or come as an extra part of the installation setup. Choose Advanced options every time you download anything.

Infected files also come via spam email campaigns during which malicious actors include executables, Excel, Word, PDF files as attachments and when you open the email with such attachments and even download the file on the machine, you let the malware infiltrate the computer.

Various malicious websites can spread these files, other malware and infect the machine directly from the domain without any initial download or installation. These are sneaky malware, so pay close attention to your activities online and keep the AV tool running.

Get rid of any malware related to HackTool Patcher virus

Threats like HackTool:Win32/Patcher virus or any other trojan, worm, or spyware that comes out of nowhere and cannot be found as a particular program, creates a problem when the user tries to eliminate the malware. For that reason, all these more serious cyber infections require automatic antivirus tools.

HackTool:Win32/Patcher removal can be performed with professional anti-malware tools and security programs like FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or Malwarebytes. These are the tools that we can rely on and recommend for the victim of any cyber threat from PUP to a trojan horse.

When it becomes especially difficult to remove HackTool:Win32/Patcher and other malware, you can try rebooting the machine in the Safe Mode with Networking before the full system scan. This mode allows to disable other background programs and run a full system check without any interruption.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of HackTool:Win32/Patcher. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

To properly fight HackTool:Win32/Patcher, you should enter the Safe Mode first and then scan the machine with antivirus program

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
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. 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.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

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:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

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:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. 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).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. 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.

Remove HackTool:Win32/Patcher using System Restore

You should benefit from the System Restore feature that allows recovering the machine in a previous state when HackTool:Win32/Patcher virus was not running on the PC

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of HackTool:Win32/Patcher. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that HackTool:Win32/Patcher removal is performed successfully.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from HackTool:Win32/Patcher and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting malware

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Olivia Morelli
Olivia Morelli - Ransomware analyst

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