Win.Trojan.Pmabot: what it is and how to remove it
Win.Trojan.Pmabot is a Trojan virus that performs all of its malicious activities remotely by using a C&C server. Some users have reported receiving malicious traffic from this malware together with the "Win.Trojan.Pmabot outbound connection attempt" message.
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.
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Win.Trojan.Pmabot: summary
| Name | Win.Trojan.Pmabot |
|---|---|
| Type | Trojan horse/malware |
| Signs | Increased CPU usage, bogus processes in the Task Manager, unknown entries in the Windows Registry, freezing programs and windows, antimalware starts dropping you constant warnings about misleading activities |
| Aim | The main goal of this program is to collect benefits from the victim. This can be done by stealing personal information and putting it up on the dark web market for sale, swindling money by logging into the victim's bank accounts, installing other malware, e.g. cryptocurrency miners |
| Danger level | High. This threat can cause severe damage to the server by running a DOS attack, permanently damage software, force the victims to face big financial losses or experience identity theft |
| Related message | Some users have reported that malicious traffic brings the "Win.Trojan.Pmabot outbound connection attempt" message as a sign of the trojan attack |
| 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
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| First seen | 5 December 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What Win.Trojan.Pmabot does on an infected PC
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Win.Trojan.Pmabot - a trojan capable of remotely connecting to a server and launching a DOS attack
Win.Trojan.Pmabot is a Trojan virus that performs all of its malicious activities remotely by using a C&C server.
Some users have reported receiving malicious traffic from this malware together with the "Win.Trojan.Pmabot outbound connection attempt" message. This virtual parasite might initiate a big number of hazardous activities on Windows computes beginning with software corruption and ending with secret malware installation or serious identity theft.
Win.Trojan.Pmabot trojan can launch a remote DOS attack that would supposedly result in permanent corruption of the server. However, more often crooks that hide under this type of malware aim to gather personal information, steal money by logging into users' bank accounts, and inject other viruses by executing PowerShell commands, e.g. cryptocurrency mining programs that mine Bitcoin, LiteCoin, Ethereum, or another type of currency by overusing the PC's resources.
Win.Trojan.Pmabot virus might not show any accurate signs at first, however, there might be some symptoms that could help you to recognize a trojan infection or at least take some actions towards the detection process of it. Despite the antivirus alerts that might flood you when something misleading has been found, you might experience these signs:
All of these signs signify about a trojan infection and you should be aware even if you just see one or two of them. Scanning the machine with antimalware repeatedly will never hurt. If the malware has been found, you should immediately continue with Win.Trojan.Pmabot removal that also requires automatical programs.
Win.Trojan.Pmabot might initiate a big variety of malicious activities in the computer's background without the user even noticing anything at first. The malware might plant a cryptocurrency miner and start mining BTC or another type of currency by overusing your PC's resources that might lead to CPU overheating.
Moreover, Win.Trojan.Pmabot might be able to access all of the private data that has been stored on your computer and web browsers. This way the parasite could log into any type of account that you hold and steal more information from there. Later on, the hackers might but your sensitive details for sale on the dark web market.
Continuously, Win.Trojan.Pmabot can not only target your personal information but also seek some monetary income directly from your bank account. If the crooks discover your credentials, they might be able to log into your Internet banking account and make money transfers directly from there.
As you can see, trojans can bring big damage and losses to the victim and the computer system. If you want to minimize the risk, you should remove Win.Trojan.Pmabot ASAP. When the trojan is detected, use reliable software to scan the entire system and find all the malicious components that have been hidden and all damaged locations.
If Win.Trojan.Pmabot has made some harmful effect on your system's files, you should try repairing them with software such as . Even though there is no 100% guarantee that the software will definitely help, it is worth giving a try.
- Suspicious processes and entries have been included in the Task Manager/Registry.
- Your software is failing to launch, close, or run properly.
- Your entire computer has become sluggish and does not operate as quality-full as before.
- Maximizing and minimizing windows has become a time-wasting job.
- The CPU work level has risen to a very high state even no significant changes have been made to your computer system lately.
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Win.Trojan.Pmabot
- Reliable antimalware tools are only capable of deleting this type of infection.
- Do not try to eliminate the virus on your own as you might accidentally cause more damage
- If you have discovered some files or entries that have been negatively affected by the Trojan virus, you can try repairing some of the components by employing software
How to remove Win.Trojan.Pmabot
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
Programs like Win.Trojan.Pmabot add a scheduled task so they return after an uninstall or reopen a page at every sign-in. Start Task Scheduler, open Task Scheduler Library and sort by Last Run Time to see what ran recently.
On the Actions tab, a program in a user folder, a script or a web address is a warning sign; right-click such a task and choose Delete.
Tasks with names copying Google, Edge or Windows updaters but pointing to an odd folder are typical. The tool looks 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
Step 2: Remove it from startup
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and select Startup apps (Windows 11) or the Startup tab (Windows 10). Disable entries you do not recognise, especially ones with no publisher or with a name that copies a Windows component.
Right-click an entry and choose Open file location to see where it runs from: programs in
%AppData%or%Temp%deserve a closer look. Some entries are not listed there but in the registry Run keys, which the procedure below shows how to check.Full procedure with screenshots: Stop apps from opening at startup On uGetFix
Step 3: Delete the folders left behind
Uninstalling often leaves the program's folders, and some threats reinstall themselves from them.
Press Windows + R, type
%LocalAppData%and press Enter, then do the same for%AppData%and %ProgramData%, and look for folders named after Win.Trojan.Pmabot, its publisher or created on the day the problem started. Delete those folders, and check C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86) too.If Windows says a file is in use, end it in Task Manager or delete the folder after a restart in Safe Mode. The folders are the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of Win.Trojan.Pmabot that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
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
Win.Trojan.Pmabot can copy saved passwords, cookies and session tokens and send them out in seconds, so cleaning the PC does not undo the theft.
Change your passwords on a device that was never infected, starting with the e-mail account, since every other reset goes through it. On each account, end all other sessions and check the recovery e-mail, phone number and forwarding rules.
Then turn on two-step verification. Sign in on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC again only after the offline scan is 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 Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Some tips on how to prevent malware attacks
No one wants to receive malware on their computers but for malicious attempts not to happen, ultimate computer security must be assured.
First of all, do not be afraid to invest some time and money in finding a reliable antivirus tool. You can try a few different programs until you find the one that suits you the most.
Continuously, be aware of what type of sources you are using for your downloads. If you like downloading video or software cracks from networks such as BitTorrent, you are likely to catch malware there as peer-to-peer networks do not include required protection and might be easily misused by malicious actors.
Furthermore, virtual parasites are likely to attack via email spam. The crooks might pretend to be from reliable healthcare organizations, shipping companies and deliver you the malicious payload in a format of some type of attachment/hyperlink. Regarding this fact, always check the sender of the email and do not open any attached files without scanning them with a malware checker first.
In addition, some malware might come camouflaged as fake JavaScript, Flash Player, or other software updates. Do not put your trust in any updates that pop-out randomly while browsing the Internet. If you are curious or concerned about some type of software upgrade, you should research it on the web or visit the program's official website and check all recently released updates there.
From our report of Dec 2019 · not reviewed since
Removal instructions for Win.Trojan.Pmabot virus
Win.Trojan.Pmabot trojan needs to be eliminated as soon as you spot the first signs of the infection.
Experts from LosVirus.es urge users not to hesitate while dealing with dangerous malware to avoid more harm.
You should remove Win.Trojan.Pmabot with the help of antimalware software only and avoid trying to delete the program on your own as more damage can be brought to the computer system. Besides, automatical tools are more likely to deal with the entire process in a much more effective and simpler way than a human would ever be able to.
[GI=method-1]To disable malicious processes on your Windows machine, you have to boot the PC in Safe Mode with Networking. To launch this mode, apply the following guiding steps:
[GI=method-2]To diminish malware-laden activities that are the result of a trojan attack, activate the System Restore feature by completing the below-provided guidelines:
After removal: passwords, accounts and prevention
Secure your accounts after the clean-up
Assume that whatever was saved in the browsers on this PC while the PC showed win.Trojan.Pmabot in the list of installed apps has been copied:
- passwords
- cookies
- autofill data
Work from a clean device, or from this PC once the offline scan finds nothing.
Start with your main e-mail account, because it can reset everything else, then banking and payment, then social and gaming accounts. Change each password, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification: Turn on two-step verification / secure a hacked account.
The full order, including crypto wallets and card replacement, is in securing your accounts after 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 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 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. 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.
Questions about Win.Trojan.Pmabot
Can I safely uninstall Win.Trojan.Pmabot?
If you did not install Win.Trojan.Pmabot yourself and it is not part of your hardware or a program you rely on, yes. Uninstalling an unwanted program does not harm Windows. Before you do, search the exact name and publisher to be sure it is not a driver tool, a printer utility or a game launcher with an odd name.
Then remove it from Settings, Apps, Installed apps. Ignore any offers or warnings in its uninstaller about losing protection or performance. Afterwards check Startup apps and your browsers for leftovers, and restart once to confirm that it does not reinstall itself.
Win.Trojan.Pmabot will not uninstall. What can I do?
First restart the PC and try again, because the program may have been running and locked its own files. If the uninstaller is missing or fails, start Windows in Safe Mode, where most third-party programs do not start, and remove Win.Trojan.Pmabot from Installed apps there.
If it still refuses, delete its startup entry and its scheduled task, restart, and try once more. A program that actively prevents removal is behaving like malware, so finish with a Microsoft Defender offline scan. Avoid third-party uninstallers offered on search ads; several of them are unwanted programs themselves.
Should I report Win.Trojan.Pmabot?
Report it if you lost money, if accounts were taken over, if you are a business, or if the trojan came through a scam call. A police or national cybercrime report gives you a reference number for your bank and insurer and helps link cases.
You do not need to report a trojan that antivirus blocked before it ran. Before reporting, write down the dates, the detection name, file names and any messages or transactions linked to the attack; screenshots of antivirus alerts are useful evidence. The country list is in the report section above.
Should I check my other computers too?
Yes, it takes little time and removes doubt. Win.Trojan.Pmabot itself usually stays on one PC, but the download that carried it may have been copied to other computers, shared drives may hold the same installer, and an attacker who had access could have tried saved passwords on other devices.
Run a full scan on every Windows PC in the home or office, check shared folders for the original download, and change Wi-Fi and router passwords if they were stored on the infected machine.
Do I need to reinstall Windows to get rid of Win.Trojan.Pmabot?
Usually not. A thorough clean-up is enough when the offline scan finds nothing afterwards and you do not see win.Trojan.Pmabot in the list of installed apps again. A reset is the safer choice if an attacker had remote control, if security tools were switched off, or if detections come back after every clean-up.
Windows 11 can reset itself without a USB stick under Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC. Copy documents and photos out first and scan the copies. A reset does not change passwords or undo stolen data, so the account steps still apply.
Is it safe to do online banking after seeing win.Trojan.Pmabot in the list of installed apps?
Not on that PC until it is clean. A program that produces win.Trojan.Pmabot in the list of installed apps runs with your rights and could read what you type or what the browser shows. Use a phone or another computer for banking and for changing passwords.
When the offline scan of the affected PC is clean and nothing suspicious starts with Windows any more, you can go back to using it. Check your bank statements for the past weeks either way, and call the bank if anything looks unfamiliar; banks can block cards and reset access quickly.
I found AnyDesk or ScreenConnect that I did not install. Is that Win.Trojan.Pmabot?
Not necessarily Win.Trojan.Pmabot, but it is a warning sign. These are legitimate remote support tools, and criminals use them as ready-made backdoors, especially after tech support scams or fake invoice calls.
If you did not install it and no one you trust set it up, uninstall it, change passwords from a clean device and check your bank account. If someone connected to your PC through it, follow the steps for remote access trojans and consider a Windows reset. Installed apps sorted by date shows when it appeared.
Is Win.Trojan.Pmabot a known trojan?
Not as a documented family, at least not yet. What is known is the visible sign, win.Trojan.Pmabot in the list of installed apps, which matches a hidden program working for someone else.
New threats are often seen by victims weeks before researchers publish anything about them. Treat Win.Trojan.Pmabot as you would any trojan:
- remove what starts it
- run an offline scan
- change passwords from another device
If a scan reports a detection name, keep it; it usually reveals the family and whether it is known to download other malware. We update this guide when an analysis appears.
My antivirus was on. How did a trojan get past it?
Antivirus programs see a file only when it is written or run, and criminals test each new build against popular scanners before release. Detection catches up within hours or days, which is often after the first victims ran it.
Archives with passwords, installers that fetch the malware later, and scripts run through PowerShell make the job harder. That is why behaviour such as downloading cracks or pasting commands matters more than any setting. Keep Windows and Defender updated, and turn on Reputation-based protection in App & browser control.
Will Fortect remove Win.Trojan.Pmabot?
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 Win.Trojan.Pmabot, 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
- Trend Micro: Command and Control [C&C] Server (read October 6, 2026)
- Search Security: DOS (Disk Operating System) (read October 6, 2026)
- LosVirus: LosVirus (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)