404 Keylogger (also known as Snake Keylogger) is a subscription-based information stealer that's been actively circulating since August 2019. Originally advertised on Russian hacking forums, this malware combines traditional keylogging with aggressive data theft targeting credentials stored in browsers, email clients, and FTP programs. Unlike some malware that requires command-and-control infrastructure, 404 Keylogger can exfiltrate your stolen data through multiple channels including email, Telegram, Pastebin, and direct FTP uploads—making it harder to detect and block.
Threat Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Canonical Name | 404 Keylogger (Snake Keylogger) |
| Aliases | 404KeyLogger, Snake Keylogger |
| Platform | Windows (all recent versions) |
| File Type | Windows PE executable (.exe) |
| Distribution Model | Subscription-based malware-as-a-service |
| First Observed | August 2019 (Russian hacking forums) |
| Primary Threat | Credential theft, keylogging, clipboard monitoring |
| Data Exfiltration | Email (SMTP), FTP, Telegram, Pastebin |
| Persistence Mechanism | Registry Run keys, scheduled tasks |
| Targeted Data | Browser credentials, email passwords, FTP clients, cryptocurrency wallets |
| Detection Difficulty | Moderate—uses obfuscation and legitimate services for exfiltration |
| Typical Payload Size | 200 KB – 1.5 MB (varies with packer) |
How It Spreads
404 Keylogger primarily arrives through phishing emails with malicious attachments. Attackers craft convincing messages posing as shipping notifications, invoice reminders, tax documents, or business correspondence. The attached file is typically a Microsoft Office document (Word or Excel) containing malicious macros, or a ZIP archive hiding the executable. When you enable macros or extract and run the file, the keylogger installs silently.
Because this is a subscription service available to cybercriminals, the quality and targeting of these campaigns varies widely. Some are sophisticated spear-phishing attempts aimed at specific businesses, while others are mass-mailed spam with generic subjects. The malware operators provide their "customers" with builder tools that package the keylogger with custom configuration settings, making each campaign slightly different in technical implementation.
Common distribution methods include:
- Email attachments — Malicious Office documents with macros, or direct executable files disguised with double extensions like "Invoice_2024.pdf.exe"
- Compressed archives — Password-protected ZIP or RAR files (password provided in email body to bypass security scanners)
- Malicious links — URLs in emails leading to file-hosting services or compromised websites that automatically download the payload
- Software bundling — Occasionally packaged with pirated software or "cracks" distributed through torrent sites
- Malvertising — Fake download buttons on compromised or malicious websites
- USB drives — Less common, but the malware can spread via infected removable media
What It Does On Your Machine
Once executed, 404 Keylogger establishes persistence by creating registry entries and potentially scheduling tasks to ensure it survives reboots. The malware typically copies itself to a Windows system folder with a filename designed to blend in with legitimate processes—names like "svchost32.exe" or "WindowsUpdate.exe" are common. It then begins its surveillance operations in the background without displaying any windows or obvious symptoms.
The keylogger monitors everything you type, taking special interest in forms where you enter credentials. It also scans your system for stored passwords in browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera), email clients (Outlook, Thunderbird), and FTP programs (FileZilla, WinSCP). Many versions also capture clipboard contents to steal cryptocurrency wallet addresses and passwords you copy-paste, plus take periodic screenshots to record information that doesn't involve typing. All of this stolen data is compiled and transmitted to the attacker through one or more exfiltration channels configured when the malware was built.
What makes 404 Keylogger particularly concerning is its flexible exfiltration options. Some variants send data to the attacker's email address using SMTP, others upload to the attacker's FTP server, and still others post stolen credentials to Telegram channels or Pastebin accounts. This variety makes network-based detection harder since the malware doesn't rely on a single command-and-control server that security researchers can identify and block.
Manual Removal — Step by Step
Disconnect From the Internet
Immediately disable Wi-Fi or unplug your Ethernet cable. This stops the keylogger from transmitting any additional stolen data while you work on removal. If you're on a laptop, also consider removing the battery if easily accessible to prevent the malware from completing any final exfiltration attempts.
Boot Into Safe Mode with Networking
Restart your computer and press F8 (or Shift+F8 on Windows 10/11) during boot to access Advanced Boot Options. Select "Safe Mode with Networking." This loads Windows with minimal drivers and prevents most malware from auto-starting, giving you a cleaner environment for removal work.
Run Task Manager and Identify Suspicious Processes
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Look for unfamiliar processes, especially those with names similar to legitimate Windows services (like "svchost32.exe" instead of "svchost.exe"). Right-click suspicious processes, select "Open file location" to see where they're running from. Legitimate Windows processes run from System32, not user AppData folders.
Use Reputable Anti-Malware Software
Download and install Malwarebytes (free trial works fine) or similar reputable anti-malware software on a clean computer, transfer it via USB, then install on the infected machine. Run a full system scan. The software should detect and quarantine 404 Keylogger components. Do not rely solely on your existing antivirus if it failed to catch the infection initially.
Manually Check Startup Locations
Press Win+R, type "msconfig" and hit Enter. Go to the Startup tab (or "Open Task Manager" link on Windows 10/11). Disable any suspicious entries you don't recognize. Also check Task Scheduler (type "Task Scheduler" in Start menu) for unusual scheduled tasks that might re-download or restart the malware.
Clean Registry Entries
Press Win+R, type "regedit" and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Look for unfamiliar entries pointing to suspicious file paths (especially in AppData\Roaming or Temp folders). Right-click and delete these entries. Be cautious—only delete entries you're confident are malicious.
Delete Malware Files
Navigate to the file locations identified in Step 3 and by your anti-malware scan. Common hiding spots include C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming and C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Temp. Delete the malicious executable and any associated files. You may need to take ownership of files if you get permission errors (right-click folder, Properties, Security tab, Advanced).
Clear Temporary Files
Press Win+R, type "%temp%" and delete everything in the folder that opens. Then type "temp" (without percent signs) and delete those contents. Finally, empty your Recycle Bin. This removes any cached malware components or data collection files that might linger.
Change All Your Passwords
Use a different, clean device (smartphone, tablet, or confirmed clean computer) to change passwords for all important accounts—email, banking, social media, work accounts. Assume everything you typed while infected was captured. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible to add an extra security layer even if passwords were stolen.
Monitor Accounts and Credit
Check bank statements and credit card transactions for the next several weeks. Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports with the major bureaus. Keyloggers often sit undetected for days or weeks, so stolen credentials might not be used immediately. Stay vigilant and report any unauthorized activity promptly.
Prevention
- Never enable macros in email attachments — Legitimate businesses don't send documents requiring macros. If you receive an Office document asking you to "Enable Content" or "Enable Macros," delete it. This single habit prevents the majority of 404 Keylogger infections.
- Verify sender identities carefully — Before opening attachments, check the sender's email address (not just the display name). Hover over links to see the actual URL. When in doubt, contact the supposed sender through a different channel to verify they actually sent the file.
- Keep Windows and software updated — Enable automatic updates for Windows, your browser, and installed applications. Many malware campaigns exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software. Patches close these security holes.
- Use comprehensive security software — Install reputable antivirus/anti-malware with real-time protection and keep it updated. Windows Defender is decent baseline protection, but dedicated security suites offer additional layers including behavior monitoring that can catch new keylogger variants.
- Employ email filtering — Use email services with strong spam and phishing filters (Gmail, Outlook.com, and business email with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace all have good filtering). Don't disable these filters even if they occasionally catch legitimate emails.
- Use a password manager — Password managers autofill credentials without keystrokes, which defeats keyloggers. They also generate unique passwords for each site, so if one password is stolen, attackers can't access your other accounts. Consider this essential security infrastructure.
- Limit user privileges — Don't use an administrator account for daily computing. Standard user accounts can't install software system-wide, which limits malware's ability to establish deep persistence. You can always elevate privileges when needed for legitimate software installation.
- Be cautious with removable media — Don't plug in USB drives from unknown sources, and scan any USB device with security software before opening files. Enable the "scan removable drives" option in your antivirus settings.
Bring It In
Manual removal of 404 Keylogger requires technical knowledge and patience, and there's always a risk of missing hidden components or leaving behind persistence mechanisms. More importantly, keyloggers represent a serious security breach—you need to know exactly what was stolen and ensure complete eradication. Computer Repair Roswell has extensive experience with credential-stealing malware. We use professional-grade tools that go beyond consumer antivirus, performing deep forensic scans to find every trace of the infection. We'll also check for secondary infections (keyloggers are sometimes delivered alongside ransomware or banking trojans) and help you understand what data may have been compromised.
We're located in Roswell, Georgia, and we offer same-day service for malware emergencies. Call us at (770) 757-2936 or stop by our shop. Bring your infected computer—we'll start with a free diagnostic to confirm the infection and explain exactly what's involved in cleanup. Our technicians will remove the keylogger, secure your system, and provide practical guidance on protecting your accounts and monitoring for fraudulent activity. Don't let a keylogger put your financial accounts, business data, or personal privacy at risk. Let us handle it properly.