Support Greta Thunberg spam (Free Guide) - Removal Instructions

Support Greta Thunberg spam Removal Guide

What is Support Greta Thunberg spam?

Support Greta Thunberg email scam is the campaign used to spread Emotet Trojan and other malware

Support Greta Thunberg spamSupport Greta Thunberg spam - campaign involving the popular person's name to attract viewers. Support Greta Thunberg spam – is the email virus that is designed to monetize the media interest on topics involving environmental activist Greta Thunberg and deliver malware. Users think that they can find content about climate movement and access information about the upcoming crisis, but the email that surfaced around Christmas includes malware script instead of the promised demonstration.

The email is disguised as an invitation to the protest, and cybercriminals seek to trick people into opening the email attachment or a link provided in the text. Unfortunately, visiting the website or opening the attached document triggers the installation of Emotet Trojan that is a virus designed to steal banking and other valuable information.

People who encounter such emails are encouraged to read the information, see the demonstration and even forward the email to friends, so the Support Greta Thunberg scam campaign successfully can spread around if people are sharing the email without analyzing how dangerous this content is themselves.

Name Support Greta Thunberg spam
Type Spam email campaign
Danger The email campaign disguised as the invitation regarding climate protest and Greta Thunberg spreads info-stealing trojan and banking malware, spyware tools
Technique People are encouraged to open the email, click on the link provided in the text, or download the word document. The malicious page or the document, when opened, encourage to enable further the content that triggers drop of the trojan payload
Malicious files Support Greta Thunberg – Time Person of the Year 2019.doc is the document included on the email, but may vary
Subject lines used in such campaigns
  • Please help save the planet;
  • Support Greta Thunberg – Time Person of the Year 2019;
  • The biggest demonstration.
Distribution Emails get sent around the world to many people. This is not targeted to any country, but distribution focuses on English-speakers since emails and attachments are in English
Delivered malware Emotet Trojan
Elimination You should remove Support Greta Thunberg spam from the email box and try to avoid the infiltration of the trojan by scanning the machine fully using the anti-malware tool. Such a program can detect malicious behavior-based threats and remove them
Repair When malware lands on the machine it can interfere with various parts of the system and damage files or affect crucial functions, so you should run a PC optimization software to check or even fix the virus damage. FortectIntego might be the one that helps you

Support Greta Thunberg virus is one of many Christmas-time spam campaigns. However, it is the only one that uses the name of the environmental activist Greta Thunberg in particular to attract viewers and victims. These are the more common subject lines that appear involved in such scams:

  • Please help save the planet;
  • Greta;
  • Friends help;
  • Support Greta Thunberg – Time Person of the Year 2019;
  • Greta Thunberg;
  • The biggest demonstration;
  • Demonstration 2019.

Once such Support Greta Thunberg spam virus email gets opened, people are encouraged to join the upcoming demonstration and open the word document or a link directly from the email. Support Greta – Time Person of the Year 2019.doc malicious file[1] shows the following message:

MERRY CHRISTMAS

You can spend Christmas Eve looking for gifts for children. 
They will tell you Thank you only that day.

But the children will thank you all their lives if you come out 
for the biggest demonstration in protest against the inaction
of the government in connection with the climate crisis.

Support Greta Thunberg - Time Person of the Year 2019

I invite you. Time and address are attached in the attached file.

FORWARD this letter to all colleagues, friends and relatives 
RIGHT NOW, until you forget!

Many thanks.

“Support Greta Thunberg” email scam quickly goes from the spam campaign to trojan delivery because clicking on online content or enabling the macros[2] on the word document immediately starts the installation of trojan. The hyperlinks planted on the email works directly – opens the website where downloading starts.

When it comes to Support Greta Thunberg.doc or another document with a different name attached to the email, there is a requirement of additional steps. The minute you download a Word document and the window prompts you to enable either editing of the file or the content that is needed to display the information you launch the macros that launch PowerShell command and downloads Emotet trojan or executes a different virus. Support Greta Thunberg scam campaignSupport Greta Thunberg spam - an email containing malicious links and attachments that allow spreading info-stealing trojan. Unfortunately, malware delivered from such Support Greta Thunberg spam email can work silently in the background and run on the resources of the device, use your PC to send out other spam emails and download more malware on the system. The biggest issue is that such silent malware is mainly designed to obtain valuable information from victims.

You need to remove Support Greta Thunberg spam or any suspicious email when you receive it, so these dangerous trojans cannot land on the machine. It is the only way to avoid to get scammed. Never open the attachment if you cannot confirm that the file is sent to you with a purpose from a reliable source. At least check the file before opening in virus total platform.

Developers of this scam campaign rely on the Holiday season and the fact that people rush into making decisions without questioning things too much. Support Greta Thunberg spam came out during such time and even involves New Years or Christmas in the email message, subject line to get users' attention.

You need to get a proper anti-malware tool and perform Support Greta Thunberg spam removal ASAP. You may avoid the trojan or different malware infiltration if you react soon enough. Unfortunately, there is a need for additional cleaning and PC repair even when you get rid of the malicious email or the virus itself.

Malware that runs in the background can leave files, traces, applications to keep the persistence up and affect the performance further. For that reason, it is best to check system files with a tool like FortectIntego that may indicate damaged files and even fix them without causing further damage. Manual Support Greta Thunberg email virus elimination could result in it corrupted files, programs, or even damaged machines when the person is not experienced enough. Support Greta Thunberg email spam virusSupport Greta Thunberg scam is the email that claims about demonstration of climate crisis but in reality, it delivers Emotet trojan.

Suspicious email hide more than you think

During sensitive and busy times like holidays and in everyday life, we get tons of emails, and most of them are useless or just spreading advertising material to customers. Unfortunately, this is the tactic that is successful for spammers and malicious people that deliver their malware via email notifications and different online content.

Clicking on any deceptive site or content that triggers additional redirects and exposes you to malicious material leads to infiltrations of different cyber threats. However, direct links on email attachments with suspicious content can directly install trojans, ransomware or worms on your device. Sometimes you cannot notice the infiltration yourself since it happens quickly.

You should delete the received email immediately if:

  • the sender is not familiar;
  • the topic is random and suspicious;
  • the company that sends you notification is not the one you use or know;
  • an email has attached files or shortened hyperlinks;
  • the text is poorly written with grammar mistakes and typos.

To get rid of the risk and all the threats you need to eliminate Support Greta Thunberg email virus

“Support Greta Thunberg” spam email is the campaign designed to spread malware, so you may think that there is nothing dangerous about the email itself. Unfortunately, you can accidentally open the email and click on the content displayed without the knowledge and install a simple PUP from the advertising banner or the real malware set to steal your data.

You should at least remove Support Greta Thunberg spam from the email box and try not to click on anything. However, this is not enough, and as many experts[3] day, it is better to be safe than sorry when it is too late. Get a tool like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, or a different anti-malware and check the machine for any malicious threats.

This is how you can clean the machine, perform a thorough scan, and Support Greta Thunberg spam removal in one step. Additionally, when trojans or different shady malware runs on the machine, your system gets affected more than you think. To repair or at least check for affected system parts and files run FortectIntego that might fix corrupted files for you and repair virus damage.

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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 Support Greta Thunberg spam. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

You need some help when fighting the trojan, other malware that may get installed already. So before the Support Greta Thunberg spam removal, reboot the machine in Safe Mode with Networking

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 Support Greta Thunberg spam using System Restore

System restore feature allows the user to recover machine in a previous state, so you can eliminate all the threats and danger

  • 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 Support Greta Thunberg spam. 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 Support Greta Thunberg spam removal is performed successfully.

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

How to prevent from getting spam tools

Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool

Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.

 

Lost your files? Use data recovery software

While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.

To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.

About the author
Julie Splinters
Julie Splinters - Anti-malware specialist

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References