What Is Wow6432node Malware & How to Remove It?

The Wow6432node is a part of the Windows system file that can control the device permission of a device. But it could cause major damage to a device when it gets infected by the malicious code. In this article, we will be discussing the detection, characteristics, prevention, and removal process of the Wow6432node malware.

What Is Wow6432node Malware?

The Wow6432node always appears with a bunch of advertisements on a computer device. These advertisements may contain different types of eye-catching content. But beneath these eye-catching advertisements, there are fake and suspicious links that can redirect you to the malicious domain upon click. These links can inject PUPs and PUAs into the device. 

Usually, the Wow6432node is a file that is installed with the 32-bit or 64-bit versions of the Windows operating system files. The file is located on the C:/Windows /System32 of your device file explorer. It is named Ntdll.dll on the directory. This file is copied to the directory when Windows was installed. Some malicious code can modify the file permission and may run all the installed programs with system privileges.

Is Wow6432node Adware?

As you know, adware is software that can display or download advertisements without user permission. The Wow6432node can do the same thing after getting infected by malicious codes. In this term, the Wow6432node is a kind of adware. But most of the adware is injected on a device system through some kind of PUAs or PUPs, whilst the Wow6432node downloads them after getting infected. So, it’s up to you whether you identify it as adware or not.

What Can Wow6432node Malware to My Device?

The Wow6432node can cause much damage to your device. The following damage can be caused by it when it got infected;

1. This malicious program can attempt to download and install other malicious programs and codes on the device. Also, it may download the PUPs and PUAs on the device. As you know, these things are dangerous for a computer device.

2. Through hackers and cybercriminals can hijack your device, as well as the internet browser. And you already know about the consequences of device hijacking.

3. An intruder or attacker may steal the personal information of the user and steal the login credentials. Which is a big threat to your privacy.

4. Unauthorized activities may be performed on the device by Wow6432node, which is operated by hackers or cybercriminals.

As you are noticing that the Wow6432node can cause pretty much harm to your device. So, it will be better to remove it as soon as possible after detection.

How to Detect Wow6432node Malware

Any antivirus tool can detect this malware while scanning. You can use Malwarebytes, and Microsoft Safety Scanner to detect it. Though, you can automatically detect it, if you have an installed third-party security tool on your device. Whenever you detect it by Malwarebytes, you need to remove it from the device, before causing any harm.

How to Remove Wow6432node Malware from an Infected Device?

To remove this notorious malware from your device, you have to apply some methods. The following methods are useful to remove Wow6432node from an infected device;

Method 1: Remove Wow6432node Malware-related Extension from the Internet Browser

You can start removing the Wow6432node malware-related extension from your preferred internet browser. Here, we are sharing the methods for the two most popular internet browsers, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Removing Wow6432node from Google Chrome

Step 1: Open Chrome, type chrome://extensions/ on the address bar, and press enter. This will take you to the installed extensions page of Google Chrome.

Step-2: Thereafter, remove the associated extension from there. To do so, you need to click on Remove, it will open a confirmation pop-up. Hereafter, click on Remove to complete the removal process.

Removing Wow6432node from Mozilla Firefox

Step-1: Open Firefox, type about:addons on the address bar, and press enter. This will take you to the extensions manager page of Firefox.

Step-2: Thereafter, you need to click on the Extensions icon from the left panel to see all installed extensions and add-ons of your device. Find the associated add-on, click on the three dots and select remove to remove the add-on from Firefox.

Method-2; Uninstall Wow6432node Malware-related Programs

Step-1: Press the Windows key + R on the device keyboard and type appwiz.cpl on the Run Dialog box. It will open the Programs and Feature window of your device.

Step-2: From the Program and Feature window, find and click on the associated and unwanted program and click on Uninstall. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process. 

Method-3; Remove the Registry Entries Made by Wow6432node Malware

Step-1: Press the Windows key + R on the device keyboard and type regedit on the Run Dialog box. It will open the Registry Editor window of your device.

Step-2: Locate and delete these below entries manually from the Registry Editor;

HKLM\Software\Classes\AppID\.Exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Currentversion\Virus Name

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Wow6432node “Shell” = “%Appdata%\.exe”

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \Software\Microsoft\Windows\Currentversion\Run ‘Random’

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Currentversion\Random

Method-4; Run a Security Scan

After removing all the extensions, PUPs, and PUAs from your device, you need to run a security scan. It will detect and remove the Wow6432node malware from the device permanently. The experts always suggest running the security scan on the safe mode of the device.

How to Prevent Wow6432node Malware?

You need to follow some tips to prevent the Wow6432node malware infection. Here are them one by one –

1. Safe Browsing

You need to be aware while surfing the internet with your device. Reckless browsing increases the probability of getting infected by cyber threats. Always surf through the secure domain or websites and check the domain address before visiting them. Also, you need to use a secure browser like Google Chrome for secure browsing. Sometimes, browser extensions or add-ons can be a threat to your device. So, you need to be careful while using browser extensions or add-ons.

2. Avoid Spam or Phishing Mails

To deliver malicious attachments on your device, the attacker can use spam or phishing mail. These emails may contain eye-catching and attractive advertisements, offers, or tips. So, avoid phishing and spam mail as much as possible. It is recommended to be careful while opening the domain address or attachment provided on spam or phishing emails.

3. Trusted Source of File Transfer

Nearly in every case, cyber attackers use a medium to inject malicious programs into a device. Using a trusted source for transferring files will help you to protect your device from most cyber threats. Never use any unrecognized or unsecured medium for transferring the file. Also, you need to be careful while downloading something from a domain or website.

4. Use Updated Security System Utilities

The security system of a device is committed to protecting a device from any kind of threat of the device. As you know, the security system is a combination of security utilities that includes a firewall, firmware, and third-third party security tools. An outdated version of security utility is not able to give your device maximum protection against device threats. So, it is necessary to use the most updated version of security tools to get maximum protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is HKLM Software?

The HKLM is also known as HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, contains Windows configuration data as a registry tree. These data include information about programs, services, drivers, and general OS settings that are automatically or manually used by every Windows user.

Where Is Registry Stored?

All types of registry files and configurations are stored in the %WINDIR% directory. That directory is named USER.DAT and SYSTEM by the Windows operating system.

Should I Need to Back up My Registry?

Yes, it is better to back up your registry regularly. Also, you need to keep a backup of your registry before making a change to the registry. These change includes creating and removing hives or registry settings and installing or uninstalling the system driver and programs. Backing up your registry can help you to revert the changes if there is anything wrong.

Aftermath

Now, you know about the detection and removing methods of the Wow6432node infection. By infecting the Ntdll.dll file, a malicious code can modify the file permission and may run all the installed programs with system privileges on your device. Keeping a third-party security tool on the device can help you to detect and remove potential threats. That’s all for today, have a great day.