trickbot.exe

What is trickbot.exe?

trickbot.exe is the primary executable in TrickBot's modular infection chain. It decrypts and loads payload modules, establishes C2 communication, and coordinates credential theft, browser data harvesting, and exfiltration. It often persists and spawns additional components to expand control.

TrickBot uses a staged architecture where trickbot.exe fetches modules from a control server, injects into processes, and routes traffic over encrypted channels. It expands capabilities over time, enabling banking fraud, email harvesting, and network propagation.

Types of TrickBot Processes

• Main Loader Process: Orchestrates module loading and C2 communication
• Credential Harvesting Modules: Capture browser passwords, cookies, and form data
• Email/Wallet Data Modules: Harvests emails, wallet data, and financial information
• Web Inject/Traffic-Stealing Modules: Performs web injects to capture online banking data
• Persistence/Startup Helper: Ensures TrickBot restarts after reboot
• Dropper/Downloader: Fetches additional payloads and updates

Is trickbot.exe Safe?

No, trickbot.exe is not safe when identified as part of TrickBot malware. It is not a legitimate system file and should be treated as malicious.

Is trickbot.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real trickbot.exe is malware, not a legitimate system file. It commonly masquerades as benign software to avoid detection.

How to Tell if trickbot.exe is Legitimate or Malware

1. File Location: Check if trickbot.exe is located in C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\TrickBot\trickbot.exe or C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Startup\trickbot.exe
2. Digital Signature: Right-click the file in its path → Properties → Digital Signatures. If the signer is not a known vendor or is absent, suspect malware.
3. Resource Usage: Unusually high CPU or memory usage (e.g., sustained 40–60% CPU, or 1 GB+ RAM) is a red flag for malicious activity.
4. Behavior: Look for network connections to unfamiliar domains, attempts to download modules, or credential theft activity.

Why Is trickbot.exe Running on My PC?

TrickBot executables run when an infection is active, or when the malware is configured to perform tasks such as credential theft, data exfiltration, or module updates. It can also persist after reboot.

Reasons it's running:

• Active Infection with Banking Modules: The core loader keeps TrickBot modules loaded to harvest credentials and conduct fraud.
• Module Updates from C2: TrickBot periodically fetches updated plugins and configuration from command-and-control servers.
• Persistence Mechanisms: Startup entries, scheduled tasks, or services keep trickbot.exe resident after reboot.
• Credential and Data Harvest: Modules monitor browsers and form inputs to collect login data and financial information.
• Lateral Movement and Exfiltration: The malware attempts to move across the network and exfiltrate stolen data to the C2.

Can I Disable or Remove trickbot.exe?

Yes, you must remove TrickBot components to fully secure the system. Simply closing the process is not enough; full remediation is required.

How to Stop trickbot.exe

• Disconnect Network: Disable network access temporarily to halt C2 communications.
• Boot into Safe Mode with Networking: Restart PC and press F8 (or Shift+Restart) to start in Safe Mode with Networking.
• Run Updated Antivirus: Scan with an up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware tool; allow it to remove TrickBot components.
• Use Offline/Bootable Scanner: Run a USB-based offline scanner to detect and remove rootkit-like components.
• Reset Credentials: After cleaning, change passwords for important accounts and enable 2FA where possible.

How to Remove TrickBot

• ✔ Run a full system antivirus/anti-malware scan in Safe Mode with Networking and remove detected TrickBot components.
• ✔ Use an offline bootable scanner to remove rootkits and hidden modules not cleared by online scans.
• ✔ If removal fails, consider a Windows recovery or OS reinstall to fully eliminate persistent components.

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If trickbot.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

• Multiple loaded modules and payloads: Terminate non-essential modules via Task Manager, then run malware cleanup tools.
• Persistent network activity: Block C2 domains at the firewall and run an updated antivirus.
• Unauthorized startup entries: Disable TrickBot startup entries and scheduled tasks from Task Scheduler.
• Malicious browser data collection: Reset browsers, clear cache, and remove suspicious extensions.
• Outdated malware signatures: Update antivirus definitions and perform a thorough scan.
• Rootkit-like persistence: Use offline scan and advanced remediation to clear hidden components.

Related Processes