Threat Profile
| Threat Name | BirdCall |
|---|---|
| Threat Type | Backdoor / Remote Access Trojan (RAT) |
| Platform | Windows (all modern versions) |
| File Type | Windows PE executable (DLL or EXE) |
| Primary Language | C++ |
| First Observed | 2019 (active through 2026) |
| Distribution Method | Multistage loader chains, trojanized DLLs, RokRAT payloads |
| Primary Payload | Credential theft, keylogging, screenshot capture, file exfiltration, remote shell access |
| C2 Communication | Legitimate cloud storage services (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) and compromised websites |
| Detection Complexity | High—uses anti-analysis techniques and masquerades as legitimate libraries |
| Typical Targets | Government agencies, defense contractors, research institutions, high-value corporate targets |
| Associated Threat Groups | Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actors |
How It Spreads
BirdCall doesn't arrive on your computer through typical drive-by download attacks or mass spam campaigns. Instead, it's deployed as part of targeted operations where attackers have already identified specific victims they want to compromise. The infection typically follows a multistage process designed to evade security analysis and establish persistent access to your system. The malware commonly arrives bundled with another well-known threat called RokRAT, which serves as the initial foothold. Once RokRAT is established on your machine, it downloads and executes shellcode that unpacks BirdCall's components. In many cases, the attackers replace legitimate system libraries with trojanized versions—files that look and function mostly like the original, but contain hidden backdoor functionality. After the malware establishes itself, it often swaps the trojanized library back to a clean version to make forensic analysis more difficult. Common distribution vectors include: - Spear-phishing emails with malicious attachments targeting specific individuals or organizations - Weaponized documents (Office files, PDFs) exploiting known vulnerabilities - Supply chain compromises where legitimate software installers are infected before distribution - Watering hole attacks where frequently visited websites are compromised to deliver the initial payload - Secondary payloads dropped by existing infections like RokRAT or other first-stage malware - USB drives and removable media in targeted physical operationsWhat It Does On Your Machine
Once BirdCall establishes itself on your system, it transforms your computer into a comprehensive surveillance platform. The backdoor provides attackers with an extensive set of spying capabilities that capture virtually everything you do. It silently takes periodic screenshots of your desktop, records every keystroke you type (including passwords, emails, and private messages), and monitors your clipboard to capture anything you copy and paste. If you're working with sensitive documents, financial records, or confidential communications, all of that information is being logged and prepared for transmission. The credential theft component is particularly dangerous. BirdCall actively searches your system for stored passwords in web browsers, email clients, FTP programs, and other applications. It can extract login credentials for online banking, corporate VPNs, cloud storage accounts, and social media—essentially any account you've accessed from the infected machine. These stolen credentials give attackers the keys to access your online accounts directly, even from their own computers. Beyond passive surveillance, BirdCall provides attackers with interactive remote access through a command shell. This means an operator can execute arbitrary commands on your computer, browse your file system, upload additional malware tools, delete evidence, or use your machine as a launching point for attacks against other systems on your network. The backdoor can also identify and exfiltrate specific file types—documents, spreadsheets, PDFs, images—automatically collecting anything that matches the attacker's targeting criteria.Manual Removal — Step by Step
Disconnect from the Internet Immediately
Unplug your Ethernet cable or disable WiFi before proceeding. BirdCall actively exfiltrates data, and cutting the connection stops it from transmitting any more of your information to the attackers. Leave the system disconnected throughout the entire removal process.
Boot into Safe Mode with Networking
Restart your computer and repeatedly press F8 (Windows 7) or hold Shift while clicking Restart (Windows 8/10/11) to access Advanced Boot Options. Select "Safe Mode with Networking" to load Windows with minimal drivers and services, preventing most malware from loading automatically.
Document Your System State
Before making changes, take screenshots of running processes (Task Manager), startup items (msconfig), and scheduled tasks. BirdCall often modifies multiple locations, and documentation helps ensure nothing is missed. If this is a work computer, contact your IT department or us immediately—you may need forensic preservation.
Run Comprehensive Anti-Malware Scans
Use multiple reputable security tools in sequence: Malwarebytes, HitmanPro, and ESET Online Scanner are good choices. BirdCall uses sophisticated evasion techniques, so no single scanner catches everything. Allow full system scans and quarantine everything detected. Save the scan logs for reference.
Check for Trojanized System Libraries
Open an elevated Command Prompt and run "sfc /scannow" to verify Windows system files. BirdCall replaces legitimate DLLs with infected versions. The System File Checker will identify modified system files and attempt to restore them from the Windows component store. This process can take 20-40 minutes.
Examine Registry Run Keys
Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE equivalent. Look for unfamiliar entries, especially those pointing to AppData folders or temporary directories. Delete suspicious entries only if you're certain—write down anything questionable to research first.
Review Scheduled Tasks and Services
Open Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc) and examine all scheduled tasks for suspicious entries. BirdCall may create tasks that launch periodically. Also check Services (services.msc) for unfamiliar services with random names. Disable and delete anything that doesn't correspond to known legitimate software.
Clear Temporary Files and Staging Areas
Use Disk Cleanup or manually delete contents of C:\Windows\Temp, C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp, and %TEMP%. BirdCall stores staging files and captured data in temporary locations before exfiltration. Permanently delete these (Shift+Delete) and empty the Recycle Bin.
Change All Your Passwords from a Clean Device
Do NOT change passwords from the infected computer—BirdCall's keylogger will capture them. Use a different device (smartphone, tablet, another computer) to change passwords for email, banking, social media, work accounts, and any other credentials accessed from the infected machine. Enable two-factor authentication everywhere possible.
Consider Professional Forensics or Complete Reinstall
BirdCall is advanced malware used in targeted attacks. If this infection is on a business machine or contains sensitive data, professional forensic analysis is strongly recommended. For home users, the safest approach is backing up your personal files (documents, photos—not programs), then performing a complete Windows reinstall from trusted media to ensure the malware is entirely eliminated.
Prevention
- Maintain Comprehensive Endpoint Protection: Install reputable antivirus/anti-malware software with behavioral detection capabilities, not just signature-based scanning. Keep it updated and actively monitoring. Business environments should consider EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) solutions that can identify sophisticated threat patterns.
- Keep All Software Current: Enable automatic updates for Windows, all installed applications, and especially software that handles internet content (browsers, PDF readers, Office suite, Java, Adobe products). BirdCall deployment often exploits known vulnerabilities in outdated software.
- Practice Extreme Email Caution: Since BirdCall typically arrives through targeted phishing, scrutinize every unexpected email attachment or link, even from known senders. Verify requests through a separate communication channel. Never enable macros in Office documents from external sources.
- Implement Application Whitelisting: On business machines or high-value personal systems, configure Windows to only allow execution of approved applications. This prevents malware from running even if it reaches your computer. Use Software Restriction Policies or AppLocker (Windows Pro/Enterprise).
- Limit Administrative Privileges: Run your daily user account with standard (non-administrator) privileges. Create a separate admin account only for software installation and system changes. Most malware, including BirdCall, has reduced capability when installed without administrative rights.
- Monitor Outbound Network Traffic: Business networks should implement egress filtering and monitor for unusual cloud storage API usage patterns. Residential users can use the Windows Firewall to review outbound connections and block applications that shouldn't be accessing the internet.
- Segment Your Network: Don't connect business and personal devices to the same network. If one machine is compromised, segmentation prevents lateral movement to other systems. Use separate WiFi networks or VLANs for different device categories.
- Maintain Offline Backups: Keep regular backups of important data on drives that are disconnected when not actively backing up. Cloud-synced backups won't protect you if malware deletes or encrypts files—those changes sync immediately. An offline backup gives you a clean restore point.
When Computer Repair Roswell removes BirdCall or any other malware from your system, we guarantee our work for 90 days. If the same infection returns within that period, we'll re-clean your computer at no additional charge. We also provide written documentation of what we found and removed, which is particularly important for business machines that may require incident reporting.