Keylogger:MSIL/SnakeLogger.DL is a credential-stealing trojan written in Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL/.NET) that silently records keystrokes, captures screenshots, and exfiltrates sensitive data from infected Windows systems. Part of the SnakeLogger malware family, this threat specializes in harvesting login credentials, banking information, cryptocurrency wallet data, and personally identifiable information. Once installed, it operates stealthily in the background while transmitting everything you type—passwords, credit card numbers, private messages—to a remote attacker-controlled server.
SnakeLogger variants have been distributed through phishing campaigns, malicious email attachments, and compromised software installers since their emergence in malware-as-a-service ecosystems. The .DL designation indicates a specific variant or detection signature within this family, though the core functionality remains consistent: comprehensive surveillance and data theft from the infected machine.
Threat Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Malware Family | SnakeLogger / SnakeKeylogger |
| Classification | Keylogger, Infostealer, Credential Harvester |
| Platform | Windows (all versions); requires .NET Framework |
| Language | MSIL (Microsoft Intermediate Language / .NET) |
| First Observed | SnakeLogger family active since approximately 2020; .DL variant is a specific detection signature |
| Distribution Methods | Phishing emails with malicious attachments (Office docs with macros, executable archives), trojanized installers, exploit kit delivery |
| Persistence Mechanisms | Registry Run keys, Startup folder shortcuts, scheduled tasks (typical for this family) |
| Primary Capabilities | Keystroke logging, clipboard monitoring, screenshot capture, browser credential extraction, email harvesting, file theft |
| Data Exfiltration | SMTP, HTTP POST, FTP, or Telegram bot API (varies by configuration) |
| Targeted Data | Login credentials, banking details, cryptocurrency wallets, email account contents, browser stored passwords, system information |
| Typical Artifacts | Executable in %APPDATA% or %LOCALAPPDATA% subfolders, often using random GUID-style directory names; log files stored temporarily before exfiltration |
| Removal Difficulty | Moderate—MSIL malware often includes anti-detection measures but can be removed with proper safe-mode procedures and reputable anti-malware tools |
How It Spreads
SnakeLogger variants primarily arrive through social engineering attacks disguised as legitimate business correspondence. The most common delivery mechanism is a phishing email containing a weaponized attachment—typically a Microsoft Office document with malicious macros, a password-protected ZIP archive containing an executable, or a PDF with an embedded link to a dropper payload. These emails often impersonate shipping notifications, invoice requests, COVID-19 health advisories, or urgent business communications designed to provoke hasty action before critical thinking kicks in.
When victims open the attachment and enable macros (or extract and run the executable), a dropper component downloads and installs the SnakeLogger payload from a compromised or attacker-controlled server. Because SnakeLogger is written in .NET, it can be easily obfuscated and modified to evade signature-based detection, allowing attackers to generate fresh variants continuously. The malware-as-a-service model behind SnakeLogger means that multiple threat actors purchase access to the builder tool, creating numerous campaigns with slightly different configurations and delivery methods.
Common infection vectors include:
- Email attachments — Malicious Office documents (.doc, .xls, .docx, .xlsm) with macro-based downloaders that fetch the keylogger payload
- Archive file tricks — ZIP or RAR files with double-extension executables (invoice.pdf.exe) or legitimate-looking file icons
- Trojanized software — Cracked applications, key generators, or game cheats bundled with the keylogger as a silent installer
- Malicious links — Phishing emails or compromised websites hosting drive-by download exploits that leverage browser or plugin vulnerabilities
- Supply chain compromise — Infected software update mechanisms or compromised third-party installers (less common but observed in targeted campaigns)
- Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) attacks — Manual installation by attackers who've gained access through weak or stolen RDP credentials
What It Does On Your Machine
Once executed, Keylogger:MSIL/SnakeLogger.DL establishes persistence by creating registry entries and scheduled tasks that ensure it launches automatically every time Windows starts. The malware typically copies itself to a hidden subdirectory within your user profile—often with a randomly generated GUID-style folder name that blends into the dozens of legitimate application folders already present. This makes casual discovery unlikely for most users.
The keylogger component hooks into the Windows input system at a low level, intercepting every keystroke before it reaches the intended application. This means everything you type—passwords entered into login forms, credit card numbers typed into checkout pages, private messages in chat applications, search queries, document contents—is captured and stored. Clipboard monitoring adds another layer of surveillance, recording anything you copy-paste, which is particularly dangerous since many people use password managers that copy credentials to the clipboard.
SnakeLogger variants also include screenshot functionality, periodically capturing images of your active window or full desktop. This defeats virtual keyboard protections that some banking sites employ and captures information that isn't typed, such as data you select with a mouse or information displayed in images. Browser credential harvesting modules extract saved passwords directly from Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other browsers without requiring any user interaction—even passwords you never type during the infection period are stolen from the browser's encrypted storage.
All captured data is aggregated and transmitted to the attacker's command-and-control infrastructure. Depending on how the particular campaign is configured, exfiltration may occur via SMTP (the keylogger sends emails to a predetermined address), HTTP POST requests to a web panel, FTP uploads to a compromised server, or increasingly, through Telegram's bot API, which provides attackers with real-time notifications on their mobile devices. The frequency of data transmission varies—some configurations send logs every few minutes, while others batch data hourly or daily to reduce network traffic that might trigger security alerts.
Manual Removal — Step by Step
Disconnect from the Internet Immediately
Unplug your Ethernet cable or disable Wi-Fi before proceeding with any other steps. This prevents the keylogger from transmitting any additional captured data and stops potential remote commands from the attacker. Physical disconnection is more reliable than software-based disabling because malware can sometimes re-enable network connections.
Boot Into Safe Mode with Networking
Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly during boot (or Shift+F8 on newer systems) to access Advanced Boot Options. Select "Safe Mode with Networking." This loads Windows with minimal drivers and services, preventing most malware from launching automatically while still allowing you to download removal tools. On Windows 10/11, you may need to hold Shift while clicking Restart, then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart > press 5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
Identify and Terminate Malicious Processes
Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look for suspicious processes, particularly those with generic names like "svchost.exe" running from unusual locations (legitimate svchost.exe always runs from C:\Windows\System32). Check the "Command line" column (right-click column headers and enable it if hidden) to identify executables running from %APPDATA%, %LOCALAPPDATA%, or %TEMP% folders. Right-click suspicious processes, select "Open file location," note the path, then select "End task." Be cautious—some legitimate applications use common names.
Remove Persistence Mechanisms
Press Windows+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 entries that reference paths you identified in the previous step or that have suspicious names. Right-click and delete any malicious entries. Next, open Task Scheduler (search in Start menu), expand Task Scheduler Library, and review all tasks for any that reference suspicious executable paths—delete these tasks. Finally, check the Startup folder at C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup for any shortcuts pointing to malware locations.
Delete the Malware Files and Folders
Navigate to the folder locations you identified earlier (typically in %LOCALAPPDATA% or %APPDATA% with GUID-style names). Delete the entire folder containing the malware executable. You may need to enable "Show hidden files and folders" in File Explorer's View options. Also check %TEMP% for any .tmp or log files created by the keylogger. Empty your Recycle Bin when finished. If Windows prevents deletion because the file is in use, the process wasn't properly terminated—return to Task Manager and try again.
Run Reputable Anti-Malware Scanners
Download and install Malwarebytes Free (from malwarebytes.com) or another reputable anti-malware tool. Update the definitions and run a full system scan. Even if you believe you've manually removed the keylogger, scanning is essential because SnakeLogger infections sometimes arrive alongside additional malware components—trojan droppers, backdoors, or cryptocurrency miners. Allow the scanner to quarantine everything it identifies. Consider running a second-opinion scanner like HitmanPro or Emsisoft Emergency Kit for thorough verification.
Reset and Secure Your Web Browsers
Because SnakeLogger steals browser-stored credentials, reset each browser to default settings. In Chrome, go to Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults. In Firefox, use Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox. In Edge, go to Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their default values. This removes any malicious extensions and clears potentially compromised saved passwords. After resetting, immediately change the master password if you use a browser-integrated password manager.
Change All Critical Passwords from a Clean Device
Before reconnecting the cleaned computer to the internet, use a different device (smartphone, tablet, or another computer you're confident is clean) to change passwords for all critical accounts: email, banking, cryptocurrency exchanges, social media, work accounts, and password manager master passwords. Enable two-factor authentication on every service that offers it—this adds protection even if credentials were compromised. Assume that everything typed on the infected machine was captured and act accordingly.
Monitor Financial Accounts and Credit Reports
Contact your bank and credit card companies to alert them of potential credential theft. Request new cards with different numbers if any banking credentials were stored on or entered into the infected machine. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports with the three major bureaus (this is free and lasts one year). Monitor accounts closely for the next several months for unauthorized transactions. If cryptocurrency wallet data was present on the infected system, immediately transfer funds to new wallets with fresh private keys.
Reboot Normally and Verify System Stability
Restart the computer and allow it to boot into normal mode. Reconnect to the internet and verify that no suspicious processes reappear in Task Manager, no unexpected network connections are active (check Resource Monitor > Network tab), and system performance is normal. Run one final quick scan with your anti-malware tool. Watch for any unusual behavior over the next few days—unexplained slowdowns, unexpected network activity, or system changes can indicate remnant infection or that additional malware was present.
Prevention
- Treat email attachments with extreme suspicion. Never enable macros in Office documents from unknown senders or unexpected emails, even if they appear to come from legitimate organizations. Call the sender using a phone number you independently verify (not one in the email) before opening any attachment that requests you to "enable content" or "enable editing."
- Keep Windows and all software fully updated. Enable automatic updates for Windows, Office, browsers, Adobe Reader, Java, and all other applications. Most malware exploits known vulnerabilities that have available patches—you eliminate entire attack vectors by staying current with security updates.
- Use reputable, real-time antivirus protection. Windows Defender (built into Windows 10/11) provides solid baseline protection if kept updated, but consider supplementing with behavior-based anti-malware like Malwarebytes Premium. Ensure real-time protection is enabled, not just occasional scanning.
- Implement proper password management. Use a dedicated password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, KeePass) rather than browser-stored passwords. This creates an additional encryption layer that keyloggers can't easily bypass. Use unique, complex passwords for every account—if one set of credentials is stolen, the breach is contained to that single service.
- Enable two-factor authentication everywhere possible. Even if a keylogger captures your password, 2FA prevents account access without the second factor. Prefer authenticator apps or hardware tokens over SMS-based codes when available, as SMS can be intercepted through SIM-swapping attacks.
- Adopt a standard user account for daily computing. Don't use an administrator account for routine tasks like browsing and email. Many malware infections can be prevented or limited if the user account lacks administrative privileges to install system-level persistence mechanisms.
- Regularly review installed programs and startup items. Once monthly, check Control Panel > Programs and Features for unfamiliar applications, and review Task Manager's Startup tab for programs you don't recognize. Remove anything suspicious—legitimate software shouldn't mysteriously appear on your system.
- Maintain offline backups of critical data. Keep regular backups on an external drive that remains disconnected when not actively backing up. This won't prevent keylogger infection but ensures that if you need to completely wipe and reinstall Windows to guarantee removal, you won't lose irreplaceable files.
Bring It In
Keylogger infections are uniquely serious because of the ongoing credential theft—every day the infection persists is another day your sensitive information flows to criminals. While the manual removal steps above can work, they require precision and technical confidence. A single missed registry key or overlooked scheduled task means the keylogger reinstalls itself at next reboot, and you're back to square one while believing your system is clean.
Our Roswell shop specializes in malware removal and system security hardening. We use professional-grade forensic tools to identify all infection components, verify complete removal, and ensure no additional threats hitchhiked in with the keylogger. We'll also review your security posture, patch vulnerable software, configure proper protection, and help you secure your accounts post-infection. Call us at (770) 569-2723 or stop by our Roswell location—we're open weekdays and Saturdays, with same-day service available for urgent situations. Most keylogger removals are completed within a few hours, and we'll have you back to safe computing by end of day.