Remove Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR (Virus Removal Guide)

Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR is a heuristic detection designed to generically detect a Trojan Horse. Due to the generic nature of this threat, we are unable to provide specific information on what it does.

Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR

Typical behavior for Trojans like Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR is one or more of the following:

  • Download and install other malware.
  • Use your computer for click fraud.
  • Record your keystrokes and the sites you visit.
  • Send information about your PC, including usernames and browsing history, to a remote malicious hacker.
  • Give remote access to your PC.
  • Advertising banners are injected with the web pages that you are visiting.
  • Random web page text is turned into hyperlinks.
  • Browser popups appear which recommend fake updates or other software.
Files reported as Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR may not necessarily be malicious. Should you be uncertain as to whether a file is malicious or a false positive detection, you can submit the affected file to https://www.virustotal.com/en/ to be scanned with multiple antivirus engines.

To check your computer for malware and remove it for free, please use the guide below.

Removal Instructions for Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR

This malware removal guide may appear overwhelming due to the number of steps and numerous programs that are being used. We have only written it this way to provide clear, detailed, and easy-to-understand instructions that anyone can use to remove malware for free.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, stop and ask for our assistance.
To remove the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking

In this first step, we will start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking to prevent Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR malicious drivers and services from loading at Windows start-up. We’re using Safe mode because it starts Windows in a basic state, using a limited set of files and drivers.

Windows 11Windows 10Windows 7
Before you enter Safe Mode, you need to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (winRE). To do this, follow the below steps:

  1. Press Windows logo key + I on your keyboard to open Settings. If that doesn’t work, right-click on the Start button, then select Settings. In the right window, click on Recovery.
    Go to Windows Settings
  2. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
    Recovery window in Windows 10

Now that you are in Windows Recovery Environment, you will follow these steps to take you to safe mode:

  1. On the Choose an option screen, select “Troubleshoot“.
    Windows 11 - Start in Safe Mode with Network
  2. On the “Troubleshoot” screen, click the “Advanced Options” button.
    Windows 11 - Start in Safe Mode with Network - Step 2
  3. On the “Advanced Options” page, click the “Startup Settings” option.
    Windows 11 - Start in Safe Mode with Network - Step 3
  4. On the “Startup Settings” page, click the “Restart”.
    Windows 11 - Start in Safe Mode with Network - Step 4
  5. After your device restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Select option 5 from the list or press F5 to enter Safe Mode with Networking.
    Boot in Safe Mode Windows 11
  6. While your computer is running in Safe Mode with Networking, we will need to download, install and run a scan with Malwarebytes (explained in Step 2).
Before you enter Safe Mode, you need to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (winRE). To do this, follow the below steps:

  1. Press the Windows logo key + I on your keyboard to open Settings. If that doesn’t work, select the Start button, then select Settings.
    Go to Windows Settings
  2. When the Windows Settings window opens, select Update & Security, then click on Recovery.
    Recovery window in Windows 10
  3. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
    Open Advance Startup

Now that you are in Windows Recovery Environment, you will follow these steps to take you to safe mode:

  1. On the Choose an option screen, select “Troubleshoot“.
    Windows 10 - Start in Safe Mode with Network
  2. On the “Troubleshoot” screen, click the “Advanced Options” button.
    Windows 10 - Start in Safe Mode with Network - Step 2
  3. On the “Advanced Options” page, click the “Startup Settings” option. In Windows 8, this option is labeled “Windows Startup Settings” instead.
    Windows 10 - Start in Safe Mode with Network - Step 3
  4. On the “Startup Settings” page, click the “Restart”.
    Windows 10 - Start in Safe Mode with Network - Step 4
  5. After your device restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Select option 5 from the list or press F5 to enter Safe Mode with Networking.
    Boot in Safe Mode Windows 10
  6. While your computer is running in Safe Mode with Networking, we will need to download, install and run a scan with Malwarebytes (explained in Step 2).
  1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
  2. When the computer starts you will see your computer’s hardware being listed. When you see this information start to press the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with the Advanced Boot Options.
    F8 Safe Mode
  3. In the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Networking and then press Enter.
    Safe Mode with Networking screen
  4. While your computer is running in Safe Mode with Networking, we will need to download, install and run a scan with Malwarebytes (explained in Step 2). In some cases, victims may have issues while trying to start the computer in Safe Mode with Networking, if this happens, you can try to scan your computer with Malwarebytes in normal mode.

STEP 2: Use Malwarebytes to remove Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR

While the computer is in Safe Mode with Networking, we will download, install and run a system scan with Malwarebytes.

Malwarebytes Free is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware software for Windows and for good reasons. It is able to destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss, without costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.

  1. Download Malwarebytes.

    You can download Malwarebytes for Windows by clicking the link below.

    MALWAREBYTES DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new page from where you can download Malwarebytes)
  2. Double-click on the Malwarebytes setup file.

    When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the MBSetup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.

    Double-click on MBSetup installer to install Malwarebytes
    You may be presented with a User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow Malwarebytes to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the Malwarebytes installation.
    Windows asking for permission to run the Malwarebytes installer

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.

    When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes setup wizard which will guide you through the installation process. The Malwarebytes installer will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program on, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
    Malwarebytes setup: Click on Personal Computer step 1

    On the next screen, click “Install” to install Malwarebytes on your computer.
    Malwarebytes Setup: Click on Install

    When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.

  4. Click on “Scan”.

    To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
    Click on Scan button to remove Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR virus

  5. Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.

    Malwarebytes will scan your computer for the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
    Malwarebytes scanning for Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR virus

  6. Click on “Quarantine”.

    When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the JS:Trojan.JS.Agent malicious files that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
    Review the malicious programs and click on Quarantine to remove Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR virus

  7. Restart computer.

    Malwarebytes will now remove the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR malware and other malicious programs that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes will ask you to restart your computer.
    Malwarebytes requesting to restart computer to complete the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR removal process

    When the malware removal process is complete, your computer should start in normal mode (if not, simply restart your device to exit Safe Mode) and continue with the rest of the instructions. We do recommend that you run another scan with Malwarebytes once you’re in Normal mode to make sure all the malicious files were removed.

STEP 3: Scan and clean your computer with HitmanPro

In this third step, while the computer is in normal back, we will download and run a scan with HitmanPro to remove the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR and other malicious programs.

HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner that takes a unique cloud-based approach to malware scanning. HitmanPro scans the behavior of active files and also files in locations where malware normally resides for suspicious activity. If it finds a suspicious file that’s not already known, HitmanPro sends it to its clouds to be scanned by two of the best antivirus engines today, which are Bitdefender and Kaspersky.

Although HitmanPro is shareware and costs $24.95 for 1 year on 1 PC, there is actually no limit on scanning. The limitation only kicks in when there is a need to remove or quarantine detected malware by HitmanPro on your system and by then, you can activate the one-time 30-days trial to enable the clean up.

  1. Download HitmanPro.

    You can download HitmanPro by clicking the link below.

    HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download HitmanPro)
  2. Install HitmanPro.

    When HitmanPro has finished downloading, double-click on “hitmanpro.exe” (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or “hitmanpro_x64.exe” (for 64-bit versions of Windows) to install this program on your PC. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
    Double-click on the HitmanPro setup file - Help Guide
    You may be presented with a User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow HitmanPro to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
    Windows asking for permissions to run the HitmanPro setup file - Help Guide

  3. Follow the on-screen prompts.

    When HitmanPro starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below. Click on the “Next” button to perform a system scan.

    Click Next to install HitmanPro to remove Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR virus

    HitmanPro final installer screen

  4. Wait for the HitmanPro scan to complete.

    HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR and other malicious programs. This process will take a few minutes.
    HitmanPro while scanning Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR

  5. Click on “Next”.

    When HitmanPro has finished the scan, it will display a list of all the malware that the program has found. Click on the “Next” button to remove the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR and other malicious programs.
    HitmanPro scan summary. Click Next to delete the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR

  6. Click on “Activate free license”.

    Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial and remove the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR and other malicious files from the computer.
    Activate the free HitmanPro license keyEnter your email to complete the HitmanPro activation - Help Guide

    When the process is complete, you can close HitmanPro and continue with the rest of the instructions.


STEP 4: Double-check for Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR malware with ESET Online Scanner

In this fourth step, we will scan the computer with ESET Online Scanner to remove any leftover files from the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR and other malicious programs.
While the Malwarebytes and HitmanPro scans are more than enough, we’re recommending ESET Online Scanner to users who still have malware-related issues or just want to make sure their computer is 100% clean.
ESET Online Scanner is a free second-opinion scanner, designed to rescue your computer from malware (viruses, trojans, rootkits, etc.) that have infected your computer despite all the security measures you have taken (such as anti-virus software, firewalls, etc.).

  1. Download ESET Online Scanner.

    You can download ESET Online Scanner by clicking the link below.

    ESET ONLINE SCANNER DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download ESET Online Scanner)
  2. Double-click on esetonlinescanner.exe to run the installer.

    When ESET Online Scanner has finished downloading, double-click on “esetonlinescanner.exe” to install it program on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
    Image - Double-click on the ESET Online Scanner setup file

  3. Install ESET Online Scanner.

    When ESET Online Scanner starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below. Select your desired language from the drop-down menu and click Get started.

    Image - Click Get Started to install ESET Online Scanner

    In the Terms of use screen, click Accept.
    Image - Accept Terms to Install ESET Online Scanner

    Select your preference for the Customer Experience Improvement Program and the Detection feedback system and click Continue.
    Image - Follow the on-screen prompts

  4. Start a Full Scan with ESET Online Scanner

    Click on Full Scan to perform an in-depth inspection of the entire computer.

    Start a Full Scan with ESET Online Scanner

    Select Enable for Detection of Potentially Unwanted Applications, then click Start scan.

    Image - Enable PUA Detection and Start Scan

  5. Wait for the ESET Online Scanner scan to finish.

    ESET Online Scanner will now begin to scan your computer for malware. This process can take quite a while, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.

    Image- Wait for the ESET Online Scanner scan to finish

  6. ESET Online Scanner will automatically remove the malicious files.

    At the end of the scan, the Found and resolved detections screen will be displayed. You can click View detailed results to view specific information. Detected threats are automatically cleaned and quarantined.
    Image - ESET Online Scanner malware removal


STEP 5: Use AdwCleaner to remove malicious browser policies

In this final step, we will use AdwCleaner to remove malicious browser policies and unwanted browser extensions from your computer.

AdwCleaner is a free popular on-demand scanner that can detect and remove malware that even the most well-known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to find. This on-demand scanner includes a lot of tools that can be used to fix the side effects of browser hijackers.

  1. Download AdwCleaner.

    You can download AdwCleaner by clicking the link below.

    ADWCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK
    (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download AdwCleaner)
  2. Double-click on the setup file.

    Double-click on the file named “adwcleaner_x.x.x.exe” to start AdwCleaner. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
    AdwCleaner Setup File
    You may be presented with a User Account Control dialog asking you if you want to run this file. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
    AdwCleaner and Windows User Account Control Pop-up

  3. Enable “Reset Chrome policies”.

    When AdwCleaner starts, on the left side of the window, click on “Settings” and then enable “Reset Chrome policies“.
    Enable Reset Chrome policies

  4. Click on “Scan Now”.

    On the left side of the window, click on “Dashboard” and then click “Scan Now” to perform a system scan.
    AdwCleaner Scan Now button

  5. Wait for the AdwCleaner scan to complete.

    AdwCleaner will now scan your computer for the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes.
    AdwCleaner Scanning for Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR and other malicious programs

  6. Click on “Clean & Repair”.

    When AdwCleaner has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found. Click on the “Clean & Repair” button to remove the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR and other malicious programs from your computer.
    Click Clean to remove Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR

  7. Click on “Clean & Restart Now”

    When the malware removal process is complete, AdwCleaner may need to restart your device. Click on the “Clean & Restart Now” button to finish the removal process.
    Click Clean & Restart Now to get rif of Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR


Your computer should now be free of the Trojan:MSIL/Malagent!MSR and other malicious programs. If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.