Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A: what it is and how to remove it
Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A is a dangerous trojan virus which can be used to track users and swindle their personal information. The trojan hors can also be set to connect to its remote C&C servers and transfer the collected data to them or even install other malware on the system.
Facts checked October 6, 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.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
If you want to confirm nothing else came with Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A, a full scan checks the usual places in one pass.
Do it yourself · free Remove Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A yourself 5 steps, about 15 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A: summary
| Distribution | Spam email attachments |
|---|---|
| Name | Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A |
| reported by | Windows Defender |
| Type | Trojan horse/False positive |
| Danger level | High if malicious |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| 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 6 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | A Windows Security "Threats found" notification |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| First seen | 12 September 2018 |
| Microsoft Defender name | Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A does on an infected PC
From our report of Sep 2018 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A
- Use for checking if infected with Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A
What Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A can steal or download
From our report of Sep 2018 · not reviewed since
Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A is a dangerous trojan virus which can be used to track users and swindle their personal information.
The trojan hors can also be set to connect to its remote C&C servers and transfer the collected data to them or even install other malware on the system. This particular threat has raised the attention of cybersecurity experts because some users encountered messages on their devices stating that their system is infected with Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A. Many of these alerts were delivered by Windows Defender.
On some systems, the message has been called false positive. However, we highly recommend repeating the scan with an alternative anti-virus to make sure that your computer is fine and virus-free. Keep in mind that trojan horses can be very dangerous computer parasites that can initiate identity theft, data loss and similar consequences.
Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A is a term which has been actively displayed by the Windows Defender as a false positive. However, no matter how harmless it sounds, note that trojan viruses are especially serious threats that should be removed immediately. Otherwise, you can discover that your computer is infected with ransomware or similar cyber threat installed on your computer because of the trojan horse.
So, if your system has been delivering this or similar messages, you need to scan it with alternative antivirus to make sure that it is just a false positive and that there are no threats affecting your device.
Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A removal is important because infections of this type can easily get into your device without your knowledge or permission. As a result, trojans can perform various activities in the background and affect the system in multiple ways. These infections can :
As you can see, the presence of such cyber infections can lead you to serious issues related to your device or your own privacy. Use to see if your device is infected. Various antivirus or antimalware tools can detect trojan horses, so select reputable software for a full scan.
Once you remove Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A virus, make sure you change your passwords and similar data saved on your device. Rebooting the system in Safe Mode with networking, for example, can help you disable this threat if it is blocking your antivirus.
- open system's backdoors for other attackers;
- collect keystrokes and steal credit card details or other credentials;
- install ransomware or other cyber threats;
- mine cryptocurrency by using the system's resources;
How Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A got on your PC
From our report of Sep 2018 · not reviewed since
Trojans, ransomware and similar malware has been actively spread via malicious email attachments.
Beware that safe-looking MS Word or Excel files can be filled with malicious macros or infected links that can easily install the direct script of ransomware or similar threat.
To prevent such infections, always avoid opening suspicious emails on your computer. If you are not sure about the legitimacy of the sender, you should better remove the email without wasting your time on it.
Additionally, if you see typos or grammar mistakes or if the email itself is filled with commercial content, be aware of the possible threats. If you are not expecting to receive an email, be cautious when opening any file from the questionable source.
Try to scan the file before downloading it on the device. Researchers advise answering the sender if you are not sure that this is a legitimate company or service.
How to check the PC for Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A
Microsoft Defender reports Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A as Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A.
In a Defender name, the part before the colon is the category, the part after it is the platform, and the part after the slash is the family Microsoft assigned. A suffix after ! is an internal Microsoft marker, not a different threat.
Generic labels such as Agent, GenericKD or Malware.AI only say that a file looks malicious, not what it does; our guide to antivirus detection names shows how to read them.
How to remove Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A
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 Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A 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 Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A 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 Sep 2018 · not reviewed since
Eliminate Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A to prevent related damage
At the moment, Windows Defender is aware of the fact that its app has been causing this false positive for its users, so there is no need to remove Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A. However, if you are still interested whether there is something to clean your system in general, use anti-malware tools to scan the system.
If the trojan horse is real and is blocking your device, you can perform a Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A removal by using our tips down below. To fix the damage, you need to scan the system thoroughly.
[GI=method-1]Reboot your device in Safe Mode with Networking and run a scan:
[GI=method-2]System Restore feature will also disable Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A before a scan with the antivirus program:
After removal: passwords, accounts and prevention
Accounts come next
Because the PC showed the Windows Security detection Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A, a sign of a program that could read browser data, the clean-up is only half of the work.
The other half happens in your online accounts.
Change passwords from a clean device, beginning with e-mail; sign out of all sessions; check forwarding rules and recovery phone numbers; and turn on two-step verification with an authenticator app or a passkey. Ask your bank to replace cards saved in the browser.
Why the order matters and what to check in each account: secure your accounts after malware.
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 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 for the data restoration process.
Questions about Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A
Defender removed Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A. Am I safe now?
Often yes, but check two things. First, whether the detection was caught on arrival: a file in Downloads or in an archive that Defender quarantined before it ran is the best case.
Second, whether Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A comes back. If it returns, or if Protection history shows several different detections around the same date, something on the PC keeps producing the file and needs to be found.
Run a full scan and, if anything remains, an offline scan. If the category names a password stealer or a backdoor, change your passwords from another device even if the file is gone.
Should I change my passwords after Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A?
It depends on the category and on whether the file ran. If the name begins with PWS, Spy, Backdoor or Trojan and the file sat in AppData, ProgramData or Temp, assume it ran and change your important passwords from a different device, starting with e-mail, then banking.
Sign out of all sessions too. If Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A is a PUA or was caught in Downloads before you opened anything, a password change is a precaution rather than a must. When in doubt, change the e-mail password and turn on two-step verification; it is quick and protects everything else.
Will Windows Security detect Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A?
Yes, current Microsoft Defender definitions name it Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A. Make sure the definitions are up to date first: open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Protection updates and click Check for updates. Then run a full scan and the Microsoft Defender offline scan.
If the detection comes back after you remove it, look for the program, task or extension that brings it back, using the plan above. Detection removes files and startup entries, but it does not reverse changes Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A already made, so follow the other steps in this guide as well.
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 Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A, they are a strong reason to follow the full plan.
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.
Can Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A 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.
Why didn't my antivirus stop Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A?
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 I keep using the PC while Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A is on it?
Not for anything that matters. As long as the program behind the Windows Security detection Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A runs, it can see what you type and what the browser stores, and it may download more malware. Disconnect the PC from the internet while you remove it, and do your banking, e-mail and password changes from another device.
Once the offline scan finds nothing and the sign does not return after a few restarts, normal use is fine. If the scan keeps finding new items, or you cannot remove the startup entry, a reset of Windows is the safer choice.
Why can't I find Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A in antivirus databases?
Because it is new or because it is listed under a different name. Antivirus companies name threats after the family they belong to, and a program that appears as Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A on your PC may carry a generic or unrelated label in their databases.
Many new samples are first detected only by behaviour, without a family name. What you saw, the Windows Security detection Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A, is enough to act on:
- end the program
- remove its startup entry
- run a Microsoft Defender offline scan
- secure your accounts
A detection name from a scan is worth noting for later.
Will Fortect remove Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A?
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 Trojan:O97M/DPLink.A, 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
- Wikipedia: Trojan horse (read October 6, 2026)
- TechRadar: The ransomware demands hitting businesses (read October 6, 2026)
- Virukset: Virukset (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)