Karagany

A group of Trojans that are used to download and install harmful software without your consent, Karagany is a family that includes many potential consequences for its attacks. Unlike relatively independent Trojan downloaders (such as Beebone), Karagany often is used as an installer component for a multi-component-structured PC threat. SpywareRemove.com malware experts have especially noticed browser hijacks, as well as the presence of fake anti-virus products correlated with Karagany attacks, either of which are security risks for the affected PC. Although Karagany often closes itself after installing its payload, Trojans and other malware programs that are installed by Karagany may continue to remain open indefinitely. The quick and thorough usage of suitable anti-malware applications should be considered essential, not just for removing Karagany, but also for removing other malware that Karagany places on your computer.

What Karagany Can Do Before You Even Know that Karagany is There

Karagany may be installed by various means, although SpywareRemove.com malware analysts have noted a recurring theme of drive-by-download exploits that are associated with the original installation of a Karagany infection. Drive-by-downloads can be used by exploit kit packages or as stand-alone exploits, and, in either case, often are linked to your PC inadvertently coming into contact with a malicious or (or, in some cases, benign but hacked) website. Browser-related security features can help block exploits that would be use to install Karagany.

If Karagany does make its way onto your computer, Karagany will install other malware of varying types that are dependent on both the variant of Karagany that's involved and any instructions Karagany may receive from remote servers. SpywareRemove.com malware research team has noted two of these types, in particular, as being associated with Karagany:

• FakeRean family-based scamware, such as Vista Defender, Antivirus XP, Antispyware Vista, Vista Security Tool 2010, Win 7 Guard, Win 7 Total Security and XP Smart Security. These programs will display fake alerts and imitate system scans as a means of convincing their victims to pay for 'registered' versions that will remove these fake PC threats.
• Sirefef Trojans, which often are responsible for modifying your browser's homepage, redirecting searches, disabling browser-based security features and/or generating Bitcoin currency through fraudulent processes.

Putting the Plug in Karagany's Malware Pipeline

Since any Karagany infection is liable to be associated with multiple types of other malware, a prompt reaction to any possible Karagany attack is recommended. To block infection routes for Karagany, SpywareRemove.com malware researchers suggest that you get used to disabling any exploitable browser functions (such as Java) and keep anti-malware software with web-browsing safety features on-hand at all times. Karagany's downloads and installations aren't likely to show any symptoms by themselves, but you may be able to detect problems related to Karagany by detecting Sirefef-based browser redirects, FakeRean-based pop-up warnings and similar issues.

While anti-malware scans should be considered the easiest way to be rid of Karagany and its accomplices, SpywareRemove.com malware researchers recommend that any scans use the most in-depth options to heighten the probability of your software finding all PC threats associated with Karagany. Karagany also may install other types of hostile software, in addition to the two major types noted in this article – not all of which are guaranteed to display any concrete evidence of their presence.