Snake Keylogger Removal Guide

Signs of Infection

Snake Keylogger is a persistent information-stealing malware that logs keystrokes, captures screenshots, and exfiltrates stolen data to a command-and-control (C2) server. Specific indicators of infection include:

File System Artifacts:

Unusual executable files in user profile directories, particularly within %AppData%, %LocalAppData%, or %Temp%. Look for recently created files with random or misspelled names mimicking legitimate software (e.g., updater.exe, svch0st.exe).
Log files containing captured keystrokes or screenshots, often found in hidden folders within %UserProfile%\Documents or %AppData%\Local\Temp. These may have extensions like .log, .txt, or .dat.
A dropped configuration file, often named config.ini or settings.dat, in the same directory as the main executable. This file contains C2 server addresses and data exfiltration settings.

Process Behaviors:

A suspicious process with a name similar to a legitimate Windows process (e.g., explorer.exe, services.exe) but running from a non-standard location like a user folder.
High CPU or memory usage by an unknown process when no user applications are active, corresponding to keylogging or screenshot capture activity.
Multiple instances of the same suspicious process or processes that respawn shortly after being terminated.

Network Signs:

Outbound connections to unfamiliar IP addresses or domains on ports commonly used for exfiltration, such as TCP/80 (HTTP), TCP/443 (HTTPS), or TCP/21 (FTP). Traffic may be encrypted but show regular, small data packets being sent.
DNS requests for suspicious, algorithmically generated domain names (DGA) or newly registered domains associated with the malware’s C2 infrastructure.
Unusual HTTP POST requests containing encoded or encrypted data sent to external servers.

Immediate Containment Steps

In the first 15 minutes after detecting Snake Keylogger, take these actions to limit damage and prevent further data theft:

Network Isolation: Immediately disconnect the infected host from the network. Disable its network adapters via the operating system or physically unplug Ethernet cables. If remote management is necessary, isolate the host to a quarantined VLAN that blocks all outbound internet traffic except for management access.
Process Termination: Using a command-line interface or process management tool, identify and terminate the malicious process. Note its Process ID (PID) and full file path for later investigation. Be aware the malware may have process-hooking or watchdog mechanisms; termination might be temporary.
Credential Rotation Priorities: Assume all credentials typed on the infected system are compromised. As a priority, change passwords for:
- Domain administrator and local administrator accounts used on the host.
- Email accounts, banking portals, and any sensitive corporate applications accessed from the system.
- Remote access solutions (VPN, RDP). Use a known-clean system to perform these rotations.
Preserve Evidence: Before cleaning, if possible, take a forensic disk image or memory capture for later analysis. At minimum, document all identified indicators (file paths, process names, registry keys, network connections).

Manual Removal Process

Follow this step-by-step procedure to remove Snake Keylogger. Perform these steps from a known-clean, bootable antivirus or forensic environment if possible to avoid interference from the malware.

Step 1: Terminate Malicious Processes.

Boot the system in Safe Mode with Networking to prevent most persistence mechanisms from loading.
Open the system’s task management tool. Sort processes by name or CPU usage.
Identify and end any suspicious processes noted during detection. Right-click the process and select “End Task” or use the command taskkill /PID <ProcessID> /F.
Pay special attention to processes launched from %AppData%, %LocalAppData%, %Temp%, or C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\.

Step 2: Delete Persistence Mechanisms. Snake Keylogger commonly uses these persistence methods:

Scheduled Tasks: Open the task scheduler. Look for recently created tasks with random or deceptive names. Delete any suspicious tasks, especially those configured to run an executable from a user directory.
Registry Run Keys: Open the registry editor. Navigate to and inspect the following keys for suspicious entries pointing to the malware’s file path:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
Delete any entries where the “Data” field points to the identified malicious executable.

Step 3: Remove Dropped Files.

Navigate to the file locations identified during the infection signs.
Show hidden files and protected operating system files in folder options.
Delete the primary executable, any associated log files (*.log, *.txt, *.dat), and the configuration file (e.g., config.ini).
Empty the Recycle Bin.

Step 4: Clean Registry Entries.

In the registry editor, search (Ctrl+F) for the file paths and filenames of the removed malware components.
Delete any keys or values found that are clearly related to the malware. Exercise caution to avoid deleting legitimate system entries.

Verifying Removal

After manual removal, confirm the system is clean.

System Scans: Perform a full system scan using a reputable, updated antivirus or anti-malware scanner. Use a second, offline scanner for a layered check.
Log Review: Check system event logs (Event Viewer) for recent errors related to the failed execution of the deleted files or scheduled tasks. This can confirm persistence was broken.
Autorun Analysis: Use a dedicated autorun monitoring tool to verify no remaining persistence points reference the deleted files.
Network Monitoring: Reconnect the host to a monitored, isolated network segment. Use a network monitoring tool or SIEM platform to watch for any residual outbound communication attempts to the known C2 servers. No such traffic should appear.
Behavioral Monitoring: Observe the system under normal use for several hours. Monitor process activity and network connections for any recurrence of the malicious behavior.

Post-Removal Security Hardening

To prevent reinfection and improve resilience against keyloggers like Snake:

Application Control: Implement application allowlisting policies via Group Policy or a dedicated endpoint protection platform. Block execution from high-risk directories like %AppData% and %Temp% for standard users.
Enhanced Monitoring: Create specific alerts in your SIEM platform or EDR solution for:
- Process creation from user writable directories (%AppData%, %LocalAppData%).
- Creation of scheduled tasks or registry run keys by non-administrator users.
- Outbound HTTP/HTTPS connections to IP addresses not on your corporate allow list.
Policy Updates: Update acceptable use and security policies to prohibit the download and execution of unapproved software. Enforce the principle of least privilege; ensure standard user accounts cannot install software or modify critical system areas.
Email & Web Filtering: Strengthen email gateway filters to block executable attachments and malicious links commonly used to deliver keyloggers. Implement web filtering to block access to known malware distribution sites.
User Training: Conduct regular security awareness training focusing on phishing recognition and the dangers of downloading software from untrusted sources-common infection vectors for keyloggers.
Credential Management: Deploy and mandate the use of a password manager to reduce keystroke logging exposure. Where possible, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all critical accounts and services.

For the most current technical indicators, detection metrics, and background on this threat, please refer to:

Snake Keylogger - Removal Guide