RedLine is one of the most prolific information-stealing trojans circulating today, with the EGC variant representing a specific detection signature for this credential-harvesting malware family. This trojan specializes in exfiltrating stored passwords, browser cookies, cryptocurrency wallets, authentication tokens, and system fingerprinting data to remote command-and-control servers. RedLine infections typically result in account takeovers, financial theft, and identity compromise, making immediate removal critical for anyone who discovers this threat on their system.
Originally appearing in underground forums around 2020 as a malware-as-a-service offering, RedLine has become a favorite tool for cybercriminals due to its low cost and effectiveness. The trojan operates silently in the background, harvesting credentials from dozens of applications before transmitting the stolen data and potentially removing itself to avoid detection. By the time most victims realize they're infected, their most sensitive data has already been compromised.
Threat Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Threat Family | RedLine Stealer |
| Detection Name | Trojan:RedLine.EGC (signature-specific variant) |
| Common Aliases | MSIL/RedLine, Trojan.RedLine, Infostealer.RedLine, RedLineStealer |
| Platform | Windows (all versions); .NET-based malware |
| First Discovered | RedLine family identified March 2020; EGC variant typical of 2021-2023 campaigns |
| Distribution Model | Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) sold on underground forums; widely deployed by multiple threat actors |
| Primary Distribution | Malicious email attachments, fake software cracks, YouTube video descriptions, malvertising, bundled with game cheats |
| Persistence Mechanisms | Varies by deployment; may use scheduled tasks, Run registry keys, or no persistence (single-run extraction) |
| Core Capabilities | Password extraction (browsers, FTP, email clients), cookie theft, cryptocurrency wallet harvesting, system fingerprinting, screenshot capture, file exfiltration |
| Targeted Data | Chromium-based browsers, Firefox, Edge, Outlook, Thunderbird, FileZilla, Discord tokens, Telegram sessions, Steam accounts, crypto wallets (Electrum, Exodus, Atomic, etc.) |
| Network Behavior | Connects to C2 server via HTTP/HTTPS to receive configuration and exfiltrate compressed data archives; may use TOR or VPN endpoints |
| Typical Artifacts | Randomly-named .exe in %TEMP% or %LOCALAPPDATA% subdirectories; compressed data archives before transmission; registry modifications (deployment-dependent) |
| Removal Difficulty | Moderate—the malware itself removes easily, but the damage (stolen credentials) persists until accounts are secured |
How It Spreads
RedLine operators use a scattershot approach to distribution, partnering with multiple affiliate networks and employing diverse infection vectors. The malware-as-a-service model means dozens of different cybercriminal groups are simultaneously deploying RedLine using their preferred methods, making the infection landscape constantly shifting and difficult to predict.
The trojan often masquerades as something users actively seek out—cracked software, game cheats, productivity tools, or media files. This social engineering component makes users willing participants in their own infection, disabling security software or ignoring warnings to access the promised content. The infection executable is typically a .NET assembly that's been obfuscated to evade signature-based detection.
Common distribution methods include:
- Malicious email attachments: ZIP or RAR archives containing the trojan disguised as invoices, shipping documents, or business correspondence
- Fake software cracks and keygens: Bundled with pirated software downloads from torrent sites, file-sharing platforms, and warez forums
- YouTube and social media links: Video descriptions promising game hacks, free software, or cryptocurrency generators that link to file-hosting services
- Malvertising campaigns: Malicious advertisements on legitimate websites redirecting to trojanized installers
- Trojanized installers: Legitimate-looking setup programs for popular applications that secretly deploy RedLine alongside the expected software
- Discord and Telegram attachments: Files shared in gaming communities, cryptocurrency groups, or tech support channels
- SEO poisoning: Compromised or malicious websites ranking highly for searches like "free Photoshop download" or "Windows activator"
- Drive-by downloads: Exploitation of browser vulnerabilities on compromised websites (less common for RedLine specifically)
What It Does On Your Machine
Once executed, RedLine moves quickly through its harvesting routine. The trojan is designed for speed rather than stealth—many variants complete their data extraction within minutes and either terminate or remain dormant afterward. The malware first performs system reconnaissance, gathering information about the operating system, hardware configuration, installed software, and running processes. This fingerprinting data helps operators profile victims and identify high-value targets for follow-up attacks.
The core function is credential extraction from applications that store authentication data locally. RedLine targets browser password vaults aggressively, using known database locations and decryption methods for Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge, Opera, Brave), Firefox, and Internet Explorer/Edge Legacy. It doesn't just grab passwords—the trojan also harvests cookies, which allow attackers to bypass two-factor authentication by hijacking authenticated sessions. For cryptocurrency users, RedLine scans for wallet files and browser extensions like MetaMask, potentially giving attackers direct access to funds.
Beyond browsers, the trojan targets standalone applications commonly used by technical users and businesses. FTP clients like FileZilla store server credentials in plaintext configuration files. Email clients cache authentication tokens. Messaging applications like Discord and Telegram maintain session files that RedLine exfiltrates, allowing attackers to impersonate victims in their social networks. VPN client configurations may reveal corporate network access credentials. Gaming platforms like Steam represent valuable targets due to account resale markets.
After collection, RedLine compresses the stolen data into an archive and transmits it to the operator's command-and-control server. Some variants capture screenshots during this process, giving attackers visual context about what applications were open and what the victim was doing. The entire operation typically completes before most antivirus software detects the threat, and in many cases, the malware deletes itself after successful exfiltration to reduce forensic evidence.
Manual Removal — Step by Step
Disconnect From the Network Immediately
Unplug your ethernet cable or disable Wi-Fi before doing anything else. RedLine may still be transmitting data or receiving commands from its operators. Disconnecting prevents further exfiltration and stops attackers from using your machine as a relay point for additional malware. Leave the network disconnected throughout the entire removal process.
Boot Into Safe Mode With Networking
Restart your computer and enter Safe Mode with Networking (press F8 during boot on older systems, or use Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup on Windows 10/11). Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and services, preventing most malware from executing. The "with Networking" option allows you to download removal tools if needed. RedLine typically doesn't have safe-mode persistence, so this isolates the infection.
Identify and Terminate the Malicious Process
Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look for suspicious processes—particularly those with random names or masquerading as system processes but running from user directories. RedLine often uses names like "svchost.exe" or "RuntimeBroker.exe" but located in AppData folders rather than System32. Right-click any suspicious process, select "Open file location," then end the process. Note the file path for the next step.
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 entries with suspicious names or paths pointing to AppData directories. Delete any entries that reference the malware location you identified. Then open Task Scheduler (search in Start menu), review the task list for recently created tasks with vague names like "Update" or "SystemCheck," and delete any that execute files from suspicious locations.
Delete the Malware Files and Folders
Navigate to the file location you identified earlier (typically in %LOCALAPPDATA% or %TEMP%). Delete the entire folder containing the malware executable. RedLine often creates GUID-named folders or uses random character strings. Also check your Downloads folder and Temp directory for the original infection file (often a ZIP archive or executable with a name related to what you were trying to download). Delete anything suspicious from the past few days.
Run Malwarebytes and a Secondary Scanner
Download and install Malwarebytes (free version is sufficient) while still in Safe Mode with Networking. Run a full system scan—not a quick scan. Malwarebytes has strong detection for RedLine and related infostealers. After Malwarebytes completes and removes any detections, follow up with a second-opinion scanner like HitmanPro or Emsisoft Emergency Kit. Multiple scanners catch different remnants and ensure thorough cleaning.
Reset Browser Settings and Clear Data
Since RedLine targets browsers extensively, reset each browser to defaults. In Chrome/Edge, go to Settings > Reset and clean up > Restore settings to their original defaults. In Firefox, use Refresh Firefox from the Troubleshooting page. This removes malicious extensions and clears potentially compromised data. After resetting, clear all browsing data including cookies and cached files—don't save anything from before the infection.
Change All Passwords From a Clean Device
This is critical: assume every password stored in your browsers or applications has been stolen. Using a different computer or your smartphone, change passwords for email accounts first (they're keys to resetting everything else), then banking, social media, work accounts, and any other services. Enable two-factor authentication everywhere it's available. Do not change passwords from the infected machine until you're certain it's completely clean and have rebooted into normal mode successfully.
Check Financial Accounts and Credit Monitoring
Review your bank statements, credit card transactions, and cryptocurrency wallets for unauthorized activity. If RedLine captured financial credentials or wallet files, you may see fraudulent charges or missing crypto assets. Contact your financial institutions immediately if you spot anything suspicious. Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports through one of the three major bureaus, which will automatically notify the others.
Reboot Normally and Verify Clean Status
Restart your computer into normal mode and reconnect to the network. Open Task Manager and review all running processes carefully. Run one more quick scan with your antivirus and Malwarebytes to confirm nothing reappears. Monitor your system for the next few days—watch for unusual network activity, unexpected password reset emails, or strange application behavior. If anything seems off, the infection may not be completely removed, and professional help is warranted.
Prevention
- Never download cracked software, keygens, or game cheats. These are the single most common RedLine distribution method. If software costs money, pay for it or use legitimate free alternatives. Piracy isn't just illegal—it's the fastest route to infection with information-stealing malware.
- Scrutinize email attachments and links obsessively. Don't open attachments from unexpected senders, even if they appear to be from known contacts (accounts get compromised). Verify shipping notifications and invoices by logging into the service directly rather than clicking email links. When in doubt, delete and verify through official channels.
- Use a password manager instead of browser password storage. Dedicated password managers like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass use stronger encryption than browsers and are harder targets for infostealers. They also make it easier to use unique passwords for every account, limiting damage when credentials do leak.
- Enable two-factor authentication on all critical accounts. While RedLine can steal session cookies that bypass 2FA temporarily, having it enabled creates additional barriers and generates notifications when attackers attempt unauthorized access. Prefer authenticator apps or hardware keys over SMS-based 2FA when possible.
- Keep Windows and all applications updated. Enable automatic updates for your operating system, browsers, and common applications. While RedLine doesn't typically exploit vulnerabilities to spread (it relies on social engineering), other malware does, and staying patched prevents many infection vectors from working at all.
- Run reputable antivirus with real-time protection. Windows Defender is adequate if kept updated, but consider supplementing with Malwarebytes Premium for stronger behavioral detection. Whatever you choose, keep it active and updated—don't disable it to run sketchy software.
- Be skeptical of YouTube links and social media file sharing. If a video promises free premium software, cryptocurrency generators, or game hacks, it's almost certainly leading to malware. Legitimate software doesn't get distributed through YouTube video descriptions or Discord attachments from strangers.
- Use a standard user account for daily activities. Don't operate as an administrator unless you're specifically installing legitimate software. Standard accounts limit the damage malware can do and prevent installation of rootkits and system-level persistence mechanisms.
Bring It In
RedLine infections are serious—this isn't a nuisance adware that slows your browser. It's credential-theft malware designed to steal your financial accounts, cryptocurrency, and personal identity. While the manual removal steps above can eliminate the trojan itself, the real damage happens in the minutes before you discovered it, when your passwords and authentication tokens were already stolen and transmitted to criminals. Professional analysis can determine the full scope of compromise, identify whether additional malware was installed, and ensure you've taken appropriate protective measures for all affected accounts.
Computer Repair Roswell has handled hundreds of information-stealer infections, and we understand the urgency these cases require. Bring your infected machine to our shop at 690 Houze Way in Roswell, or call us at (770) 695-6544 to discuss your situation. We'll perform thorough malware removal, verify system integrity, help you secure compromised accounts, and explain exactly what data was at risk. Time matters with RedLine infections—the sooner you act, the better your chances of minimizing the damage. We're here to help you through this and get you back to secure computing.