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Trojan viruses are a stealthy, dangerous type of malware that can cause serious harm if not dealt with, meaning it’s important to know how to remove Trojan virus infections promptly and completely.
Trojans can enable hackers to steal your data, monitor your activities, cause permanent system damage, and control your device. Because of this, immediate action is essential to minimize the impact a Trojan can have on your devices and data.
In this guide, I’ll explain in detail how to remove Trojan virus threats from your device. As a bottom line, I recommend using antivirus software to thoroughly scan your system, remove threats, and block future infections.
What Does a Trojan Virus Do?
They take their name from the Ancient Greek story of a hollow wooden horse used to smuggle soldiers into the city of Troy, allowing the Greeks to enter the city and end the Trojan war.
Some telltale signs of a Trojan infection include system slowdowns and a decline in device performance, sudden internet traffic spikes, and unusual activity, such as your mouse pointer moving by itself.
If you have an antivirus app installed on your device, it can block and isolate Trojan viruses and prevent them from initiating further malicious processes.
Are Trojans Computer Viruses?
Although the term “Trojan virus” is used widely, Trojans and viruses are, strictly speaking, different types of malware. Both require user action to infect a computer, however, such as downloading compromised files and software on your device.
By definition, viruses are able to self-replicate, while Trojans serve as a gateway for other malware to access your device.
How Much Damage Can Trojans Do?
Trojans could also expose you to ransomware, a type of malware that can lock your computer down or prevent access to important files until you pay a ransom.
In Q1 2024, the SocGholish Trojan downloader was found to be responsible for 60% of all malware infections. The ArechClient2 Remote Access Trojan, which has numerous remote control capabilities, was responsible for a further 9% of infections. It enables hackers to take control of victims’ computers and steal their data.
How to Remove a Trojan Virus
If you’re concerned about a possible Trojan infection, it’s important to act quickly. In this section of my guide, I’ll provide detailed step-by-step instructions on removing Trojans from different platforms using TotalAV, a robust antivirus that excels at removing Trojans. I’ll also cover manual methods for removing suspicious apps.
How to Remove a Trojan Virus from Windows 10 and Windows 11
Here’s how to remove a Trojan virus from PCs running Windows 10 or 11:
Download and Install TotalAV
Go to the official TotalAV website, sign up for a subscription, download the TotalAV installer, and install TotalAV by following the on-screen instructions.
Run a Full Scan
Open TotalAV and click Antivirus Scan. Next, click Run an Antivirus Scan and choose Full Scan. Then, let the scan run and find and eliminate Trojan threats. When the scan is complete, follow TotalAV’s recommendations on removing suspicious files.
Uninstall Suspicious Programs
Go to your computer’s Control Panel, click Programs, and then Uninstall a program. Look for any unfamiliar or potentially malicious programs, right-click on them, and – once you’ve confirmed you don’t need them and they’re not legitimate programs – select Uninstall to remove them.
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How to Get Rid of Trojan Virus Infections on Mac
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to get rid of a Trojan virus on a Mac:
Download and Install TotalAV
Go to TotalAV’s website and get a subscription. Next, download the TotalAV installer and install TotalAV by following the on-screen instructions.
Run a System Scan
Open TotalAV and click Malware Scan in the menu on the left. Pick a System Scan, then wait for the TotalAV scan to complete, and follow the instructions to remove malicious files from your Mac.
Uninstall Potentially Dangerous Programs
Open Finder, click Applications in the side menu, and look for unknown apps or potentially dangerous by control-clicking or right-clicking. Before removing any apps, make sure that you don’t need them, and once confirmed, select Move to Trash.
How to Remove Trojan Horse Virus Infections on Android
Here’s a Trojan virus removal guide if you’re an Android user:
Download and Install TotalAV
Go to TotalAV’s site, sign up for an account, and download and install TotalAV using the Google Play Store.
Run an Antivirus Scan
Open the TotalAV app and tap the magnifying glass icon. Select Antivirus Scan, and wait for the scan to complete. Tap Remove All once TotalAV has identified any Trojan threats on your device.
Uninstall Unknown Apps
Go to Settings, tap the Apps tab, and then tap Manage Apps. Select any apps that may contain malicious code, and once you’ve confirmed you don’t need them, tap Uninstall.
How to Remove Trojan Virus from iPhone
System scans by third-party apps aren’t supported on iOS devices. However, TotalAV is still worth having on your iPhone, as its WebShield feature makes browsing the web safer by blocking potentially malicious websites and downloads that could infect your iPhone with a Trojan.
Here’s how to get rid of a Trojan virus on your iPhone manually:
- Open the Settings app and tap General.
- Navigate to the iPhone Storage section.
- Tap on apps that could pose a threat to your phone and, if you’re sure, select Delete App.
How to Remove Trojan Startup Programs on Windows
Trojans can sometimes pose as Windows startup programs that stay active in the background until you disable them.
Here’s how to remove a Trojan virus from the Windows 10 and 11 startup programs lists:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
- Click on the Startup Apps tab to view all programs that run on startup.
- Identify potentially suspicious startup programs, right-click on them, and select Disable.
- Open the Control Panel and enter the Programs tab.
- Uninstall the apps associated with the startup programs you disabled to prevent them from loading in the background.
How to Remove Trojan Startup Programs on Mac
Here are the steps to remove a Trojan virus from your Mac’s startup program list:
- Click on the Apple Menu and enter System Settings or System Preferences on older macOS versions.
- Open the General tab and navigate to Login Items.
- Click on an app you find suspicious.
- Remove the app from startup by clicking the minus ( – ) button below it.
- Open Finder and select Applications from the left menu.
- Drag the suspicious app to the Trash to fully remove it from your Mac.
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Types of Trojan Viruses
Trojan viruses come in various different forms, targeting different vulnerabilities to execute attacks. Understanding what each type of Trojan does can help you identify and eliminate them more quickly.
Here are some of the different types of Trojan viruses:
- Data-Sending Trojan – Steals sensitive information and sends it to the attacker.
- Destructive Trojan – Deletes or corrupts files, potentially resulting in operating system failures.
- Wiretap Trojan – A type of spyware that monitors and records the target’s communications.
- Remote Access Trojan – Allows attackers remote control over the device.
- Banker Trojan – Steals banking credentials and financial information.
- Proxy Trojan – Allows hackers to perform illegal activities anonymously using the target computer.
- Talking Trojan – Displays pop-up messages as it attacks the system.
- FTP Trojan – Grants attackers access to the device’s File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
- Trojan Dialer – Makes calls to premium-rate numbers from the target device, leading to charges for the victim.
How Do Trojan Viruses Get On Your Device?
Trojan viruses can infiltrate your devices as a result of just one mistake, and they can be carried by a wide range of different channels. Here are the most common sources of Trojan viruses:
- File-Sharing Sites – Trojans can be hidden in files and software downloaded from untrustworthy sources.
- Email Attachments – Downloading an infected email attachment can lead to a Trojan virus infection.
- Removable Media – Connecting infected USB sticks or external storage devices can upload Trojans to your system.
- Hacked Wi-Fi Networks – Using unsecured Wi-Fi networks can expose your device to Trojans.
- Infected Websites – Visiting websites compromised with browser hijackers can infect your device with Trojans and other malware.
- Social Engineering – Cybercriminals may call or message you and attempt to manipulate you into unknowingly installing Trojans on your device.
See our guides on how to remove Yahoo Search from Chrome, how to remove malware from Chrome, and how to stop Google redirects to Bing to address issues affecting your browser.
How to Protect Yourself From Trojan Virus Infections
Taking proactive action to protect yourself from malware and block Trojan virus infections is the best course for steering clear of trouble. To protect your devices from a Trojan virus infection, I recommend:
- Get an Antivirus – Reputable antiviruses like TotalAV can detect Trojans before they can be downloaded or deployed on your device.
- Get a VPN – Using one of the best VPNs improves your online security and privacy, making it harder for hackers to target you or intercept your data.
- Update Your Software – Ensure your apps and operating system versions are up-to-date to prevent security vulnerabilities.
- Avoid Ads on Shady Sites – Don’t click on ads on untrustworthy sites, and stay away from suspicious websites to prevent exposure to malware*.
- Avoid Unofficial Sources for Apps – Only install apps and extensions from official, reputable sources.
- Watch out for Phishing Attacks – Be wary of unexpected emails and messages asking for sensitive information, such as credentials or personal data, or that ask you to click on links or download attachments.
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Conclusion – How to Get Rid of a Trojan Virus
Trojan viruses can pose a serious threat to your device and data, potentially leading to unauthorized access to your computer or rendering it unusable. Their ability to pose as legitimate software can make them difficult to detect without assistance, but catching them quickly is essential.
Installing a reputable antivirus such as TotalAV will minimize the risks you face and allow you to scan your devices for existing Trojan threats and remove them in minutes. Using a VPN, maintaining cautious browsing habits, and avoiding phishing attempts will also significantly reduce the chance of a Trojan infection on your devices.
FAQs
What do Trojan viruses do?
Can Trojan viruses be removed?
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What tools can remove Trojan virus infections?
References
- Malware with Sandbox Evasion Techniques Observed Stealing Browser Cached Credentials (Cyber Florida at USF)
- Top 10 Malware Q1 2024 (Center for Internet Security)
