W32/Pushdo Trojan Removal Tool — Complete Guide & DownloadW32/Pushdo (often just “Pushdo”) is a notorious Trojan that has been used for years to build and manage botnets, distribute spam, and deliver secondary malware (ransomware, banking Trojans, etc.). This guide explains what Pushdo is, how it operates, how to detect and remove it, recovery steps after infection, and how to choose and use a reliable removal tool. It also points out safe download practices and prevention strategies.
What is W32/Pushdo?
W32/Pushdo is a Windows-targeting Trojan family primarily used to create large networks of compromised machines (botnets). Pushdo typically persists by dropping and running modules that contact command-and-control (C2) servers to receive instructions — such as downloading additional payloads, sending spam, or participating in distributed attacks. Because Pushdo often acts as a downloader/loader, an infected machine may show additional malware beyond the initial Trojan.
Key behaviors:
- Downloads and executes secondary malware
- Connects to remote command-and-control servers
- May exfiltrate data or send spam
- Attempts persistence on reboot
Common infection vectors
- Malicious email attachments (phishing)
- Exploit kits via compromised or malicious websites
- Drive-by downloads or bundled installer packages
- Infected removable media or peer-to-peer files
Signs and symptoms of infection
- System noticeably slower than usual
- High network activity when you’re not using network-heavy apps
- Unexpected outbound email or spam from your account
- Unfamiliar scheduled tasks, services, or running processes
- New browser toolbars, redirects, or blocked security software
- Security product warnings or files detected as Pushdo or related components
Before you start: precautions
- If this is a business machine, notify your IT/security team immediately.
- Disconnect the infected machine from the network (unplug Ethernet and turn off Wi‑Fi) to prevent further spread and communication with C2 servers.
- If possible, create a forensic image or backup of important data before attempting changes — especially if you may need to recover evidence later.
- Use another trusted device to download removal tools and guidance.
Choosing a removal tool — what to look for
A good removal tool for Pushdo should:
- Detect both the primary Pushdo components and secondary payloads that may have been downloaded.
- Remove persistence artifacts (services, scheduled tasks, registry entries, startup items).
- Quarantine or delete malicious files safely.
- Provide offline or bootable rescue options when the OS is unstable.
- Have up-to-date malware signatures/heuristics (check recent update date).
- Come from a reputable vendor with clear support and update policies.
Reputable vendors with tools or full AV suites that historically detect/clean Pushdo variants include (not exhaustive): Microsoft Defender, Kaspersky, ESET, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, Trend Micro, and Sophos. Most vendors offer both on-demand scanners and full real-time protection suites.
Recommended removal approach (step-by-step)
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Preparation
- Boot an alternate clean device to download tools.
- Prepare a USB drive with official vendor rescue tools or full installers.
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Isolate and back up
- Disconnect the infected PC from the internet.
- Back up any essential personal files (documents, photos) to external media — do not back up executable files or software installers.
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Scan with a reputable on-demand scanner
- Run a full system scan with a current antimalware product (Malwarebytes or your preferred AV).
- Quarantine or remove detections. Reboot if prompted.
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Use a second-opinion scanner
- Boot into Safe Mode with Networking (Windows) and run a different vendor’s scanner to catch items the first missed.
- Consider a dedicated rootkit scanner (e.g., Microsoft Safety Scanner, ESET Online Scanner when available).
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Use a rescue/bootable environment if necessary
- If the system is unstable or the Trojan prevents removal, use a vendor’s bootable rescue USB (Kaspersky Rescue Disk, Bitdefender Rescue CD, etc.) to scan before Windows loads.
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Manual cleanup for persistence
- Check and remove suspicious scheduled tasks, services, and startup entries.
- Inspect common persistence locations: Registry Run keys, Task Scheduler library, %APPDATA% and %TEMP% for recently modified suspicious executables, and Windows Services.
- Only remove manually if you can identify malicious items confidently; otherwise rely on AV.
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Restore system files and check integrity
- Run System File Checker: sfc /scannow
- Run DISM to repair the image if on Windows 8/10/11: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
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Re-scan
- After manual steps and repairs, run full scans again with two different tools to ensure no remnants remain.
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Recovery and password reset
- Change passwords for accounts accessed from the infected PC — do this from a clean device. Prioritize email, banking, and two-factor authentication methods.
- Monitor accounts for suspicious activity.
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Reinstall as last resort
- If infections persist or critical system components are damaged, perform a full OS reinstall (clean install). Format the system drive to ensure complete removal. Restore only data backups that are scanned and clean.
How to safely download a removal tool
- Always download directly from the vendor’s official website.
- Verify digital signatures or checksums if the vendor provides them.
- Avoid third-party download aggregators that may bundle unwanted software.
- Use HTTPS and confirm the domain (e.g., microsoft.com, malwarebytes.com, kaspersky.com).
Example quick-download sources:
- Microsoft Safety Scanner (from Microsoft)
- Malwarebytes on-demand scanner
- Kaspersky Rescue Disk (bootable ISO)
- Bitdefender Rescue CD
Example: Using Malwarebytes (typical workflow)
- From a clean device, download Malwarebytes’ installer to a USB.
- Run the installer on the infected PC in Safe Mode with Networking (if possible).
- Update definitions and perform a full system scan.
- Quarantine and remove all detected threats. Reboot.
- Re-run a second scanner to confirm.
Post-removal checklist
- Confirm device boots normally and performance is restored.
- Reconnect to the network only after multiple clean scans.
- Update Windows, drivers, and installed software to latest versions.
- Enable a reputable antivirus with real-time protection and enable automatic updates.
- Enable a firewall and, if available, network-level protections on your router.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for important accounts.
- Regularly back up important data to an offline or cloud location with versioning.
Prevention best practices
- Keep OS and applications patched.
- Use a modern, updated antivirus with real-time protection.
- Be cautious opening email attachments or clicking links — verify sender identity.
- Limit administrative privileges: use a standard user account for daily work.
- Disable macros in Office by default; only enable for trusted documents.
- Segment devices and use network restrictions for IoT and less-trusted systems.
- Regularly audit scheduled tasks and startup entries for unfamiliar items.
When to call professionals
- If the machine is part of a corporate network or contains sensitive data, involve your IT/security team.
- If you suspect data theft (banking credentials, corporate secrets), contact incident response professionals.
- If removal attempts fail or the malware reappears after cleaning, consult a professional incident response service.
Download links and tools (examples)
- Microsoft Safety Scanner — official on-demand scanner from Microsoft
- Malwarebytes — on-demand and real-time protection product
- Kaspersky Rescue Disk — bootable scanner ISO
- Bitdefender Rescue CD — bootable scanner ISO
- ESET Online Scanner — on-demand scanner
(Download from the vendor site directly; verify the domain and digital signatures where provided.)
Final notes
W32/Pushdo is an adaptable threat because it acts as a downloader/loader for other malware. The most reliable removal combines updated antimalware tools, offline/bootable scanning when necessary, careful manual inspection for persistence, and — when needed — a clean OS reinstall. After removal, secure your accounts, patch systems, and adopt preventative measures to reduce the chance of reinfection.
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