Trojan:Win32/Arkei.Stealer represents a dangerous information-stealing trojan designed to harvest credentials, cryptocurrency wallet data, browser passwords, and other sensitive information from infected Windows systems. First observed in 2018 and distributed through underground forums as a malware-as-a-service offering, Arkei has infected thousands of systems worldwide through phishing campaigns, malicious attachments, and software cracks. This stealer operates silently in the background, exfiltrating your personal data to command-and-control servers before you realize anything is wrong.
Unlike ransomware that announces itself immediately, Arkei works covertly—grabbing your saved passwords, autofill data, FTP credentials, email account information, and cryptocurrency wallet files without displaying any visible symptoms. By the time most victims discover the infection, their sensitive data has already been compromised and potentially sold on dark web marketplaces.
Threat Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Threat Family | Information Stealer / Data Exfiltration Trojan |
| Aliases | Arkei Stealer, Arkei Logger, Trojan.Arkei, MSIL/Arkei, Trojan:Win32/Arkei |
| Target Platform | Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 (32-bit and 64-bit) |
| First Observed | Mid-2018; actively evolved through 2019-2020 |
| Distribution Method | Email attachments, malicious macros, software cracks, exploit kits, trojanized installers |
| Persistence Mechanism | Registry Run keys, scheduled tasks, startup folder entries (varies by variant) |
| Primary Capabilities | Password theft (browsers, FTP, email clients), cryptocurrency wallet extraction, cookie stealing, system profiling, screenshot capture, file harvesting |
| Targeted Applications | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, FileZilla, Outlook, Thunderbird, Electrum, Exodus, Atomic Wallet, Steam, Discord, Telegram (50+ applications in total) |
| Data Exfiltration | HTTP/HTTPS POST to C2 servers, typically as compressed/encrypted archives |
| Common IoCs | Executables in %TEMP% or %APPDATA% with random names, outbound connections to suspicious domains, SQLite database queries against browser storage, clipboard monitoring processes |
| Network Behavior | Contacts command-and-control infrastructure to receive configuration and upload stolen data; may download additional payloads |
| Removal Difficulty | Moderate—requires safe mode operation, manual registry cleanup, and verification that all dropped components are eliminated |
How It Spreads
Arkei's distribution follows the playbook of most modern stealers: wide-net phishing combined with targeted delivery to users seeking pirated software. Cybercriminals purchase Arkei as a service from underground forums (prices historically ranged from $40-$130 per month), then deploy it through their preferred infection vectors. The malware-as-a-service model means that distribution methods vary widely depending on who's operating a particular campaign.
The most common infection pathway begins with a phishing email containing a weaponized Microsoft Office document. When you open the attached Word or Excel file and enable macros (prompted by a fake warning claiming the document is "protected"), a hidden VBScript or PowerShell command downloads and executes the Arkei payload. These emails often impersonate shipping notifications, invoice requests, or job applications—anything that creates urgency and reduces scrutiny.
Software piracy remains another major distribution channel. Users searching for cracked versions of Adobe products, Windows activators, or game cheats download what appears to be a legitimate tool, only to discover it was bundled with Arkei. The trojan installs silently while the decoy software may even function as expected, masking the infection.
- Malicious email attachments — Weaponized Office documents with macro downloaders, or direct executable attachments disguised as PDFs or invoices
- Exploit kits — Compromised websites running RIG or Fallout exploit kits that target unpatched browser vulnerabilities
- Trojanized software — Cracked applications, key generators, game cheats, and "free" premium tools bundled with the stealer
- Malvertising — Malicious advertisements on legitimate sites redirecting to drive-by download pages
- Social engineering — Tech support scams directing victims to download "diagnostic tools" that are actually Arkei droppers
- Supply chain compromise — Less common but documented: legitimate software update mechanisms hijacked to deliver the payload
What It Does On Your Machine
Once executed, Arkei gets to work immediately, prioritizing data collection before any security software can intervene. The trojan typically operates in memory for critical functions, making detection more difficult, while writing harvested data to temporary encrypted archives before exfiltration. Most variants complete their primary theft routine within 30-90 seconds of execution—fast enough to grab your credentials before you notice anything amiss.
The stealer's primary target is browser-stored credentials. Arkei directly accesses the SQLite databases and encrypted storage used by Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other browsers to save your passwords and autofill information. It also harvests cookies (which can be used to hijack active sessions without needing passwords) and browsing history. Your saved credit card information, email login credentials, and any website passwords stored in the browser are all copied to the attacker's collection archive.
Beyond browsers, Arkei systematically searches for FTP clients like FileZilla (to steal server credentials), email clients like Outlook and Thunderbird (for email account access), and messaging applications. Cryptocurrency users face particular risk: Arkei specifically hunts for wallet files from Electrum, Exodus, Ethereum, Monero, and dozens of other wallet applications. It copies the wallet.dat or equivalent files that, once in an attacker's hands, can be cracked offline to drain your cryptocurrency holdings.
The trojan also performs system reconnaissance, collecting information about your computer configuration, installed software, running processes, and network configuration. This data helps attackers determine the value of the compromised machine and whether to deploy additional payloads like ransomware or banking trojans. Some Arkei variants include screenshot capture and clipboard monitoring—the latter watching for cryptocurrency addresses so they can be replaced with attacker-controlled addresses when you attempt to send funds.
Manual Removal — Step by Step
Disconnect from Network Immediately
Unplug your ethernet cable or disable Wi-Fi to interrupt communication with the command-and-control server. This prevents further data exfiltration and stops the trojan from downloading additional malware components. Leave the machine disconnected throughout the removal process.
Boot Into Safe Mode with Networking
Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly (or Shift+F8 on newer systems) during startup to access Advanced Boot Options. Select "Safe Mode with Networking" to load Windows with minimal drivers and prevent the trojan from loading its persistence mechanisms. On Windows 10/11, you can also hold Shift while clicking Restart, then navigate through 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 running from %TEMP% or %APPDATA% with random names or high network activity. Right-click any suspicious process, select "Open file location" to note where it's running from, then end the process. Arkei variants often use names mimicking legitimate Windows processes but running from unusual locations.
Remove Registry Persistence Keys
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 with random names pointing to executables in Temp or AppData folders. Delete these entries carefully—if you're uncertain about any entry, document it before removal. Also check the RunOnce keys in the same locations.
Delete Scheduled Tasks
Open Task Scheduler (search for it in the Start menu) and examine the task list for recently created tasks with random names or tasks pointing to suspicious executables. Arkei frequently creates scheduled tasks to re-launch itself. Right-click any malicious tasks and delete them. Pay special attention to tasks configured to run at logon or at short intervals.
Remove Malware Files and Folders
Navigate to the locations you identified in step 3 (typically %TEMP% or %APPDATA% folders with random GUID-style names) and delete the entire folder containing the malware executable and associated files. Also check your Downloads folder and Desktop for any suspicious recently-downloaded files. Empty the Recycle Bin when finished.
Run Malwarebytes and Full System Scan
Download Malwarebytes (from another clean computer if necessary) and run a complete system scan. Malwarebytes excels at detecting stealer trojans and their remnants. Allow it to quarantine everything it finds. Follow up with a scan from Windows Defender or another reputable antivirus. Multiple scanning engines catch what individual tools might miss.
Reset All Browsers to Default Settings
Open each installed browser and reset it to factory defaults (this removes malicious extensions and restores settings without deleting bookmarks). In Chrome: Settings → Reset Settings → Restore settings to their original defaults. In Firefox: Help → More Troubleshooting Information → Refresh Firefox. In Edge: Settings → Reset Settings → Restore settings to their default values.
Change All Passwords from a Clean Device
Since Arkei has stolen your browser-saved passwords, assume every credential is compromised. From a different clean computer or smartphone, change passwords for your email, banking, social media, and any other accounts. Enable two-factor authentication wherever available. For cryptocurrency wallets, transfer funds to new wallets with fresh private keys generated on a clean device.
Reboot and Monitor
Restart the computer normally and observe its behavior. Check Task Manager for suspicious processes. Verify that no unexpected network connections are occurring. Monitor your financial accounts closely over the next several weeks for unauthorized access. If anything seems off or you lack confidence in the cleanup, professional forensic analysis becomes necessary.
Prevention
- Never enable macros in unsolicited documents. Legitimate businesses rarely require macro-enabled documents, and Microsoft disables macros by default for good reason. If a document prompts you to enable macros to view content, delete it.
- Avoid pirated software entirely. Cracked applications and key generators represent one of the highest-risk infection vectors. The "free" premium software costs you far more when it steals your bank credentials or cryptocurrency. Legitimate free alternatives exist for most commercial software.
- Keep Windows and all software updated. Enable automatic updates for Windows, browsers, Java, Adobe products, and other commonly-exploited software. Exploit kits targeting unpatched vulnerabilities can't gain a foothold if those vulnerabilities don't exist.
- Use a password manager instead of browser password storage. While browser password managers have improved, dedicated password managers like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass provide better encryption and are less commonly targeted by stealers. They also make changing compromised passwords easier.
- Store cryptocurrency wallets offline. Hardware wallets (Ledger, Trezor) or properly generated paper wallets keep your private keys off internet-connected computers where stealers can reach them. If you must use software wallets, keep them on a dedicated air-gapped machine.
- Implement email filtering with caution about attachments. Enable advanced threat protection if your email provider offers it. Treat all unexpected attachments with suspicion, especially from unknown senders. When in doubt, contact the supposed sender through a separate verified channel to confirm legitimacy.
- Run business-grade endpoint protection. Consumer antivirus provides basic protection, but business-grade solutions with behavior monitoring, application whitelisting, and centralized management catch more threats. For businesses, this investment pays for itself by preventing a single successful breach.
- Educate everyone who uses your computers. Security awareness training sounds tedious, but teaching family members or employees to recognize phishing emails and social engineering attempts prevents more infections than any technical control. Human vigilance remains the best first line of defense.
Bring It In
Information stealers like Arkei represent a serious threat because they compromise not just your computer, but potentially your entire digital life—banking, email, cryptocurrency, and more. Manual removal carries risks: miss a single persistence mechanism and the stealer reactivates; fail to identify all compromised credentials and attackers maintain access through your accounts. The stakes are too high for guesswork.
Computer Repair Roswell specializes in complete malware eradication with forensic thoroughness. We'll remove the stealer, document what data was at risk, help you secure compromised accounts, and implement layered defenses to prevent reinfection. Our shop at 1000 Mansell Road in Roswell is open Monday through Saturday, or call (770) 679-3558 to describe your situation. We offer same-day emergency service for active infections when data theft is ongoing. Bring your infected machine in today—the longer Arkei runs, the more damage it causes.