Trojan.Pidief.x (Virus Removal Instructions) - Removal Guide

Trojan.Pidief.x Removal Guide

What is Trojan.Pidief.x?

Trojan.Pidief.X malware links to ransomware

The picture illustrating Trojan.Pidief.x

Trojan.Pidief.X virus defines a computer virus, specifically, a trojan horse. Regarding its original purpose, it behaves the same way in the cyber space. It is wrapped in the disguise of a legitimate program or contains anti-malware-detection features which allow it to sneak into a victim’s system.

Once there, the malware performs its mission. Originally a trojan:

  • collects personal information about victims and send it to cyber villains
  • acts as an intermediate threat to download the main malware payload
  • damages PC performance

In the past year, trojans[1] serve as transmission tools for ransomware. Likewise, Trojan.Pidief.X sparks such assumption as well. It functions via Necurs backdoor[2]. Recently, its name has been escalated in the articles discussing Ykcol (Locky) distribution. The possible relation to this crypto-virus should not be ignored.

Furthermore, such assumptions are very likely since the trojan executes its command via a corrupted PDF file. It leaves %Temp%\[FILE NAME].docm in the affected system.

Since it changes its forms, it is difficult to pinpoint the malware. The problem is that it may not give out symptoms about its presence. Moreover, it is difficult to anticipate how the trojan will behave itself – whether it will stay silent and collect information or download ransomware.

However, you may still suspect that Trojan.Pidief.X or other trojan resides on the system. While it keeps your system in its grip, you may notice unusual restart processes. In addition, system error messages may pop up informing that this or another process failed even though you did not initiate any processes. If Trojan.Pidief.X attempts to deliver you Locky, usually, it asks you to enable macros since the latter malware targets Windows system. Thus, you can prevent the infection by canceling the request.

If Trojan.Pidief.X attempt to deliver you Locky, usually it asks you to enable macros since the latter malware targets Windows system. Thus, you can prevent the infection by canceling the request.

Additionally, trojan.pidief.x presence will affect your PC system performance. You may spot the process of a .pdf file consuming an unusually amount of CPU memory – over 40%. In order to remove Trojan.Pidief.X, you will need digital assistance. Since the first traces of the trojan have been detected already on August 2017, most anti-virus tools detect this malware. Additionally, FortectIntego or Malwarebytes might prove to be useful.

Detecting trojans Stay securedTrojan.Pidief.x is delivered by Necurs backdoor. Necurs botnet helps distribute Ykcol (Locky) ransomware

Since a trojan disguises under cover of a legitimate app or file, ordinary users will hardly detect it before it infects a system. Besides maintaining protection of your system with multiple security tools (do not forget a firewall as well), you should keep in mind these tips:

  • avoid using torrent-sharing sites
  • check program’s privacy policy and users reviews before downloading
  • do not click on video links promoted in gaming, gambling or pornographic sites
  • avoid opening spam email attachment before verifying the sender

Now let us move on to Trojan.Pidief.x removal solutions. Note that manual attempts might prove to be futile.

Eliminate Trojan.Pidief.X malware

In order to deal with this infection, you will need to launch the security tool. Depending on the version of this virus, it may take a while to remove Trojan.Pidief.X completely. Note that you will need to boot the system in Safe Mode and perform the scan in that mode.

This malware targets all users exclusively, it is not picky about infecting American, British or Turkish users[3]. After Trojan.Pidief.X removal, check whether your data is not affected or any questionable apps have remained.

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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 Trojan.Pidief.x. Follow these steps

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
  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 Trojan.Pidief.x using System Restore

If you cannot enter Safe Mode, try performing System Restore to get access to malware elimination tool. If your anti-virus offers boot-time scan, launch it. After that, you should remove Trojan.Pidief.x malware.

  • 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 Trojan.Pidief.x. 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 Trojan.Pidief.x removal is performed successfully.

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

How to prevent from getting trojans

Do not let government spy on you

The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet. 

You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.

Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.

Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack

Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.

When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.

About the author
Linas Kiguolis
Linas Kiguolis - Expert in social media

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