Snake Keylogger is a credential-harvesting trojan that has circulated since at least 2020, sold on underground forums as a Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) offering. Variants of this keylogger family continuously evolve to evade detection while maintaining core functionality: recording keystrokes, capturing screenshots, stealing saved passwords from browsers and email clients, and exfiltrating data to remote attackers. This particular variant represents one of many customized builds distributed by different threat actors who purchase or lease the underlying malware framework.
What makes Snake Keylogger especially dangerous for home users and small businesses is its ability to operate quietly in the background while systematically stealing credentials for email accounts, banking portals, business applications, and social media platforms. The malware specifically targets .NET Framework-enabled Windows systems and employs multiple anti-analysis techniques to avoid detection by basic antivirus software.
Threat Profile
| Threat Type | Keylogger, Infostealer, Credential Harvester |
| Family | Snake Keylogger (also known as KrakenKeylogger in some variants) |
| Platform | Windows (all versions with .NET Framework 4.0+) |
| Distribution Model | Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS), sold/leased on underground forums |
| First Observed | November 2020 (family); specific variants emerge continuously |
| Primary Distribution | Malicious email attachments (Office docs with macros, PDF exploits, archive files) |
| Persistence Mechanisms | Registry Run keys, Startup folder, scheduled tasks, COM hijacking (varies by variant) |
| Data Exfiltration | SMTP, FTP, Telegram API, Discord webhooks (method varies by purchaser configuration) |
| Targeted Credentials | Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), email clients (Outlook, Thunderbird), FTP clients (FileZilla), messaging apps |
| Anti-Analysis Features | Virtual machine detection, sandbox evasion, debugger checks, string obfuscation |
| Typical Artifacts | Hidden executables in %APPDATA% or %LOCALAPPDATA%, encoded configuration files, screenshot directories |
| Removal Difficulty | Moderate (requires process termination, registry cleanup, thorough credential rotation) |
How It Spreads
Snake Keylogger variants primarily reach victims through carefully crafted phishing emails that masquerade as legitimate business correspondence. Attackers purchase or lease the malware builder, customize the payload to their specifications, and then distribute it through campaigns targeting specific industries or geographic regions. Because the malware is sold as a service, distribution methods vary significantly depending on which cybercriminal group is operating the campaign — there's no single "Snake Keylogger gang," but rather dozens of independent operators using the same underlying tool.
The most common infection vector involves email attachments designed to exploit trust and urgency. You might receive what appears to be an invoice from a vendor, a shipping notification, a tax document, or a resume from a job applicant. The attached file — often a Microsoft Office document, a PDF, or a compressed archive — contains either malicious macros, embedded exploits, or executable files disguised with double extensions. When opened, these files execute the Snake Keylogger payload, which immediately begins establishing persistence and collecting credentials.
Secondary distribution methods observed with this malware family include:
- Malicious Office documents with macros: Word or Excel files that prompt users to "Enable Content" or "Enable Macros" to view the document, which then executes embedded VBA code that downloads and runs the keylogger
- Compressed archive files: ZIP or RAR files containing executables with names like "Invoice_2024.pdf.exe" that exploit Windows' default behavior of hiding known file extensions
- Weaponized PDFs: PDF files exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated Adobe Reader installations to execute embedded code
- Trojanized software downloads: Legitimate-looking utilities or pirated software bundles that include Snake Keylogger as a hidden payload
- Malvertising campaigns: Compromised or malicious advertisements that redirect users to drive-by download sites hosting the keylogger
- Watering hole attacks: Compromised legitimate websites that serve malware to visitors meeting specific targeting criteria
What It Does On Your Machine
Once executed, Snake Keylogger variants waste no time establishing themselves on the infected system. The malware typically drops its main executable in a hidden subdirectory within either %APPDATA% or %LOCALAPPDATA%, often using a randomly generated folder name or GUID to avoid easy detection. The executable itself may use a legitimate-sounding process name to blend in with normal system operations, and variants frequently employ .NET obfuscation to complicate analysis by security tools.
The keylogger's primary function — capturing every keystroke you make — begins immediately after installation. Unlike some malware that activates only under certain conditions, Snake Keylogger continuously monitors all keyboard input across every application. Whether you're typing an email, entering a password, composing a document, or filling out a web form, the malware records it all and timestamps each entry. This creates a complete log of everything you type, which gets packaged and transmitted to the attacker at regular intervals, typically every few minutes to every few hours depending on the configuration.
Beyond keystroke logging, this malware family includes comprehensive credential-theft capabilities. It systematically scans your system for stored credentials in browsers (saved passwords, cookies, autofill data), email clients (account credentials, stored messages), FTP programs (server addresses, usernames, passwords), and various messaging applications. The malware can also extract credentials from password managers if they're running unlocked, and some variants specifically target cryptocurrency wallet files. All this harvested data gets organized into structured reports and sent to the attacker's chosen exfiltration channel — commonly SMTP servers, FTP sites, Telegram bots, or Discord webhooks.
Screenshot capture represents another significant privacy violation. Many Snake Keylogger variants periodically take snapshots of your entire screen or capture images of active windows at intervals ranging from seconds to minutes. These screenshots provide visual context for the keystroke logs and can reveal information that wouldn't be captured through keyboard monitoring alone, such as on-screen keyboards, virtual keypads, or sensitive information displayed in applications. Some variants also specifically monitor clipboard contents, capturing anything you copy and paste.
├── svchost.exe # Main keylogger binary (note: fake svchost name)
├── config.dat # Encrypted configuration (exfil server, intervals)
└── logs\ # Keystroke and screenshot data (periodically purged)
Name: "WindowsSecurityUpdate" # Disguised as legit service
Value: "C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Roaming\{GUID}\svchost.exe"
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartupApproved\Run
# May disable startup notification to hide from Task Manager startup tab
Trigger: At system startup, repeat every 15 minutes
Action: Start program %APPDATA%\{GUID}\svchost.exe
Manual Removal — Step by Step
Disconnect from the Internet Immediately
Unplug your Ethernet cable or turn off Wi-Fi before proceeding with any removal steps. This prevents the keylogger from transmitting any additional data it has collected and stops it from receiving new instructions or updates from its command server. Work completely offline until removal is verified.
Boot Windows Into Safe Mode with Networking
Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly during startup (or use Shift+Restart from the login screen on Windows 10/11, then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart > press 5 for Safe Mode with Networking). Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and prevents most malware from automatically starting, making removal much easier.
Identify and Terminate the Malicious Process
Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look for suspicious processes, particularly those running from %APPDATA% or %LOCALAPPDATA% folders or processes with names mimicking legitimate Windows services but running from user directories. Snake Keylogger often uses names like "svchost.exe" or "explorer.exe" from non-system locations. Right-click any suspicious process, select "Open file location," note the full path, then end the process.
Remove Persistence Mechanisms
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 any entries pointing to the malware location you identified. Delete suspicious entries. Also check Task Scheduler (type "taskschd.msc" in Run dialog) for any scheduled tasks running executables from %APPDATA% or %LOCALAPPDATA% directories and delete them.
Delete the Malware Files and Folders
Navigate to the folder location you identified in Step 3 (typically something like C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\{GUID}\). Delete the entire folder. Snake Keylogger may also create folders in %TEMP% or %LOCALAPPDATA% — check both locations for recently created folders with random names or GUIDs. Delete them permanently (Shift+Delete to bypass Recycle Bin).
Run a Full System Scan with Reputable Anti-Malware
Reconnect to the internet (still in Safe Mode) and download Malwarebytes Free if you don't already have it. Update its definitions and run a full system scan. Snake Keylogger variants often drop additional payloads or come bundled with other malware, so a thorough scan is essential. Quarantine or remove anything detected before proceeding.
Reset Web Browsers to Remove Extensions and Modifications
Some Snake Keylogger variants install browser extensions or modify browser settings to maintain persistence or steal additional data. In Chrome, go to Settings > Reset and clean up > Restore settings to original defaults. In Firefox, type "about:support" in the address bar and click "Refresh Firefox." In Edge, go to Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their default values.
Change All Critical Passwords from a Clean Device
Because keyloggers capture everything you type, assume all passwords entered while infected have been compromised. Using a different computer, tablet, or smartphone that was NOT connected to your infected machine, immediately change passwords for email accounts, banking, social media, and any business or financial applications. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible as an additional security layer.
Reboot Normally and Verify Clean Status
Restart your computer normally (not in Safe Mode) and immediately check Task Manager for any suspicious processes. Verify that the malware folder remains deleted and that no new suspicious Run keys have appeared in the registry. Run one more quick scan with Malwarebytes to confirm the system is clean.
Monitor Financial Accounts and Consider Credit Monitoring
For the next several weeks, closely monitor all financial accounts, credit card statements, and email for signs of unauthorized access or identity theft. Snake Keylogger specifically targets financial credentials, so victims sometimes discover fraudulent transactions or account takeovers days or weeks after the initial infection. Consider placing a fraud alert with credit bureaus if you suspect significant credential exposure.
Prevention
- Never enable macros in Office documents from unknown senders. Legitimate businesses rarely send documents requiring macro execution. If a document prompts you to "Enable Content" or "Enable Editing" and you weren't expecting it, delete it immediately and contact the supposed sender through a different communication channel to verify legitimacy.
- Verify file extensions before opening attachments. Configure Windows to show file extensions (File Explorer > View > Options > View tab > uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types"). Be especially wary of double extensions like ".pdf.exe" or ".doc.exe" — these are nearly always malicious.
- Keep Windows and all applications fully updated. Snake Keylogger sometimes exploits known vulnerabilities in Office, Adobe Reader, or Windows itself. Regular updates patch these security holes. Enable automatic updates for Windows and all major applications.
- Use a reputable antivirus with real-time protection. While Snake Keylogger variants evolve to evade detection, quality security software with behavior-based detection catches many infections before they fully execute. Windows Defender provides basic protection; commercial solutions like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or ESET offer more comprehensive coverage.
- Implement email filtering and security awareness training. For businesses, configure email gateways to block or quarantine attachments with executable content. Train employees to recognize phishing attempts and establish a clear protocol for verifying unexpected attachments before opening them.
- Use a password manager instead of browser-saved passwords. Dedicated password managers like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Keeper encrypt credentials with a master password and are more resistant to credential theft than browser password stores. They also make post-infection password rotation much easier.
- Restrict user privileges and disable unnecessary services. Don't operate with administrator privileges for everyday tasks. Standard user accounts limit malware's ability to establish deep system persistence. Disable Windows Script Host if you don't need it (prevents many macro-based infections).
- Back up critical data regularly to offline or cloud storage. While Snake Keylogger isn't ransomware, infections sometimes lead to data loss through subsequent attacks or malware conflicts. Regular backups ensure you can recover even if you need to completely wipe and reinstall Windows.
Bring It In
While the manual removal steps above work for many Snake Keylogger infections, credential-stealing malware requires absolute thoroughness — a single missed registry entry or hidden scheduled task means the keylogger can resurrect itself and continue stealing your data. Our technicians at Computer Repair Roswell use specialized forensic tools to identify every component of infections like this, remove them completely, and verify that your system is genuinely clean. We also help you assess what credentials may have been compromised and develop a recovery plan for changing passwords and securing accounts.
We're located in Roswell, Georgia, and we've been helping local residents and businesses recover from malware infections since 2004. Bring your computer to our shop at 1535 Hembree Road, Suite 100, Roswell, GA 30076, or call us at (770) 797-9366 to discuss your situation. Most keylogger removal jobs are completed within 24 hours, and we'll explain everything we find in plain language. Don't let a credential thief keep operating on your system — get it professionally cleaned and regain confidence in your computer's security.