TELEPUZ Malware Warning: How the ClickFix RAT Takes Over Windows and Steals Data

If a website tells you to press Windows + R, paste a PowerShell command, and click OK to finish a verification, stop. That is not a CAPTCHA. It is a method criminals use to make you launch malware.

TELEPUZ is one of the most capable threats delivered this way, combining remote control, credential theft, keylogging, browser manipulation, and persistent access in a single modular Windows platform.

TELEPUZ Malware Overview

TELEPUZ is a modular Malware-as-a-Service platform that combines a remote access trojan with information-stealing tools. The main Windows payload is a 64-bit DLL written in C, but operators can load extra modules only when they need them. This keeps the initial core relatively light while still supporting a large menu of malicious actions.

The infection has been linked to ClickFix delivery chains. A compromised or attacker-built page displays a fake error, CAPTCHA, or verification message and places a command on the visitor’s clipboard. The victim is told to open the Run dialog and paste the command. Instead of fixing a browser problem, PowerShell retrieves an initial loader, followed by the TELEPUZ stager and main payload.

Once active, TELEPUZ can accept 36 remote commands. Operators can capture screenshots, run shell commands, upload and download files, list or terminate processes, inject code, start a keylogger, steal browser data, activate a web-injection module, and elevate privileges. The web injector can interact with Chrome and Firefox automation interfaces to alter a banking page while it is open, potentially replacing fields or collecting information as the victim types.

The malware also works hard to survive and avoid analysis. It can install a Windows service named CipherAllocator, modify the Registry, patch AMSI and ETW monitoring in memory, check for virtual machines and sandboxes, and attempt a UAC bypass. Its command server can be changed through Telegram, Steam profiles, DNS records, or even a blockchain smart contract if the primary address is taken down. That combination makes TELEPUZ a serious hands-on intrusion, not a simple one-time password grabber.

Because TELEPUZ is sold or offered as a service, the exact follow-on activity can differ between victims. One operator may focus on browser accounts, another on online banking, and another on installing more payloads. The common factor is that the infected device becomes a managed endpoint for the criminal. Cleanup must therefore address both the core RAT and anything it may have downloaded during the time it remained connected.

How the TELEPUZ Infection Works

Step 1: A fake verification page copies a command

The victim sees a page claiming that a browser check failed or that a manual verification is required. It may show familiar icons, a spinning progress indicator, or a short set of numbered instructions.

The page quietly copies a PowerShell command to the clipboard. The victim is told to press Windows + R, paste, and run it. That instruction is the attack.

Step 2: PowerShell downloads an initial loader

When the command runs, it contacts attacker-controlled infrastructure and retrieves a loader linked to a VIDAR variant. The command may use hidden-window flags so no normal installer appears.

Because PowerShell is a legitimate Windows tool, the process can look less suspicious than a newly downloaded executable. The surrounding social engineering also convinces the victim that the activity is part of the verification.

Step 3: The loader starts TELEPUZ in memory

The initial stage retrieves a stager and the main TELEPUZ DLL from compromised domains. Components can be loaded directly into memory, reducing obvious files on disk and shortening the window in which a basic file scan might catch them.

Anti-analysis checks examine CPU cores, memory, disk size, usernames, computer names, and virtualization markers. If the system looks like a research sandbox, the malware may stop before revealing its behavior.

Step 4: Persistence and higher privileges are established

TELEPUZ can create the CipherAllocator service and add Registry persistence so the infection returns after reboot. It can also try to gain Administrator or SYSTEM access without showing a normal UAC confirmation.

Deleting a visible process is therefore not enough. The service, Registry entries, injected code, and on-demand modules must all be addressed during cleanup.

Step 5: Stealer, keylogger, and web-injection modules activate

The operator can load a browser stealer for cookies and saved data, start a keylogger, or deploy a web injector. Keystrokes can reveal passwords and messages, while stolen cookies can provide access to accounts that already passed multi-factor authentication.

Web injection is particularly dangerous around banking and financial sites. The victim may see the correct domain while the malware changes what appears inside the browser or intercepts typed information.

Step 6: Remote commands continue through resilient control channels

TELEPUZ communicates over WebSocket, optionally protected with TLS, and gives each infected device a derived session identifier. If one server disappears, fallback data from Telegram, Steam, DNS, or a smart contract can point the malware to another location.

The operator can continue issuing commands, download more malware, search files, take screenshots, or move deeper into the system until the infection is fully removed.

What TELEPUZ Can Do on an Infected PC

• Record keystrokes and steal browser cookies or saved credentials.
• Capture screenshots and collect detailed system information.
• Upload, download, delete, or execute files.
• Run shell commands and inject code into other processes.
• Alter or monitor browser sessions through web-injection modules.
• Escalate privileges and install itself as a persistent Windows service.
• Retrieve additional payloads whenever the operator chooses.

Warning Signs of a ClickFix-Delivered Infection

• A website tells you to use the Run dialog, PowerShell, Command Prompt, or Terminal.
• The page copies text automatically and insists that you paste it without reviewing it.
• A command uses hidden-window options, encoded text, or an unfamiliar web address.
• A service named CipherAllocator appears unexpectedly.
• Browser sessions, banking pages, or sign-in forms behave differently without an extension change.
• Security tools close, stop reporting, or cannot complete a scan.

What to Do If You Ran a TELEPUZ Command

1. Disconnect the PC immediately. Cut Wi-Fi and Ethernet to interrupt remote control and data theft.
2. Do not use the infected browser for account recovery. TELEPUZ can steal keystrokes and browser sessions, so use a clean phone or computer.
3. Secure primary email and financial accounts first. Change passwords, sign out all sessions, verify payees and transfers, and contact the bank if you used online banking after the command ran.
4. Revoke session cookies where possible. A password change alone may not invalidate every stolen session. Use each service’s security dashboard to remove remembered devices.
5. Run the full Windows cleanup sequence below. Multiple scanners are useful because TELEPUZ can patch defenses, persist as a service, and load separate modules.
6. Review the PC after removal. Check services, startup items, browser extensions, remote-access software, firewall rules, and newly created administrator accounts.
7. Use professional help for business or banking systems. A device exposed to web injection and SYSTEM-level access may require forensic review or a verified clean reinstall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TELEPUZ the same as VIDAR?

No. A VIDAR-linked component has been used as an early loader in the observed delivery chain, but TELEPUZ is the later modular RAT platform. An infected PC can therefore contain evidence or payloads from more than one malware family, which is why a single-file removal is not enough.

Can Microsoft Defender detect TELEPUZ?

Security products can detect known samples and behaviors, but TELEPUZ includes defense-evasion techniques and changes over time. Keep protection enabled and updated, then use a full multi-step scan if the ClickFix command was executed.

Why is the web-injection feature so dangerous?

It can interfere with a live browser session instead of merely stealing a saved password file. A victim may be on the correct banking domain while malicious code monitors or changes what appears inside the page, making visual trust alone unreliable. Verify sensitive payments from a separate clean device after any suspected infection.

The Bottom Line

TELEPUZ turns a fake verification into a complete remote intrusion. Its operators can steal credentials, record keystrokes, interfere with banking pages, load new modules, and retain control through several layers of persistence.

If you pasted a command from a website into the Run dialog or PowerShell, do not wait for visible symptoms. Disconnect the PC, secure accounts from another device, and perform a complete cleanup that checks services, Registry persistence, browser sessions, and additional payloads.

If you suspect your computer is infected with malware — slow performance, pop-ups, redirects, or programs you don’t recognize — follow the free step-by-step removal guide below to find and remove it.

Remove Malware from Windows [Step-by-Step Guide]

• STEP 1: Uninstall malicious programs from Windows
• STEP 2: Reset browsers back to default settings
• STEP 3: Use Rkill to terminate suspicious programs
• STEP 4: Use Malwarebytes to remove Trojans and unwanted programs
• STEP 5: Use HitmanPro to remove rootkits and other malware
• STEP 6: Use AdwCleaner to remove malicious browser policies and adware
• STEP 7: Perform a final check with ESET Online Scanner

STEP 1: Uninstall malicious programs from Windows

First, we’ll manually check your computer for unknown or malicious programs. Adware and browser hijackers often have a working uninstall entry — removing them this way takes care of the easy part before we run the scanners.

With the malicious programs removed, you’re ready for the next step in this guide.

STEP 2: Reset browsers back to default settings

In this step, we will remove spam notifications,  malicious extensions, and change to default any settings that might have been changed by malware.
Please note that a Chrome or Edge reset turns off all your extensions, and a Firefox refresh removes them. Your bookmarks and favorites stay intact. For each browser that you have installed on your computer, please click on the browsers tab below and follow the displayed steps to reset that browser.

STEP 3: Use Rkill to terminate suspicious programs

Next, we’ll download and run Rkill to stop any suspicious processes running in the background. This prevents the malware from interfering with the removal tools in the following steps.

RKill is a program that was developed at BleepingComputer.com that attempts to terminate known malware processes so that your normal security software can then run and clean your computer of infections. When RKill runs it will kill malware processes and then removes incorrect executable associations and fixes policies that stop us from using certain tools.

1. Download Rkill.

   You can download RKill to your computer from the below link. When at the download page, click on the Download Now button labeled iExplore.exe. We are downloading a renamed version of Rkill (iExplore.exe) because some malware will not allow processes to run unless they have a certain filename.

   

   RKillStops malware processes so other tools can run

   Download RKillOpens the BleepingComputer download page in a new tab.

2. Run RKill.

   After downloading, double-click the iExplore.exe icon to kill malicious processes. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
   The program may take some time to search for and end various malware programs.

   

   When it is finished, the black window will close automatically and a log file will open. Do not restart your computer. Proceed to the next step in this guide.

STEP 4: Use Malwarebytes to remove Trojans and unwanted programs

Now we’ll install Malwarebytes and run a full scan to detect and remove infections, adware, and potentially unwanted programs from your computer.

Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan your PC and remove what Malwarebytes finds.

1. Download Malwarebytes

   Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.

   

   Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost

   Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium

2. Install Malwarebytes

   When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.

   

3. Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes

   The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:

   • Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.

     

   • Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.

     

   • When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.

     

   • On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.

     

4. Optional: Check for rootkits with a Custom Scan

   You don’t need to change any settings for a normal scan. The standard Threat Scan in the next step is enough for most problems, so you can go straight to it.

   If you also want to check for rootkits, use a Custom Scan. In current versions of Malwarebytes, rootkit scanning is only available there:

   1. On the Scanner tile, click the three-dot menu and select Advanced Scan.
   2. Choose Custom Scan. In its options, check Scan for rootkits.
   3. Select your system drive (usually C:\) as the location to scan, then start the scan. It takes longer than a Threat Scan.
   4. When it finishes, review and quarantine the results as described in the steps below.

   Rootkit scanning isn’t available on Windows devices with ARM processors.

5. Start the Scan

   Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.

   

6. Wait for the Scan to Finish

   The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.

   

7. Quarantine the Detected Threats

   When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.

   

   Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.

   

8. Restart Your Computer

   Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.

   

STEP 5: Use HitmanPro to remove rootkits and other malware

Next, we’ll run a second-opinion scan with HitmanPro to catch Trojans, rootkits, and other malicious programs that may have survived the previous step.

HitmanPro is a second-opinion scanner — it’s designed to catch what your main antivirus might have missed. Instead of relying on a single detection engine, it checks the behavior of files in the locations where malware usually hides. Anything suspicious is checked online, where it’s analyzed by several antivirus engines in HitmanPro’s Scan Cloud.

Good news: scanning is completely free, with no limits. You only need a license when it’s time to remove what was found — and even then, you can activate a free one-time 30-day trial to remove what it finds at no cost. The trial works once per computer. After that, removal needs a paid license, and the purchase screen shows the current price.

1. Download HitmanPro

   Click the button below to download HitmanPro. Remember — the scan is free, so you have nothing to lose by checking your PC.

   

   HitmanProSecond-opinion malware scanner from Sophos

   Download HitmanProFree scan. Removing threats needs the free 30-day trial. Opens the official HitmanPro page in a new tab.

2. Install HitmanPro

   When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the file “hitmanpro_x64.exe”. (On 32-bit Windows 10, the file is named “hitmanpro.exe”.)

   

   If a User Account Control pop-up asks whether HitmanPro can make changes to your device, click “Yes” to continue.

   

3. Follow the On-Screen Prompts

   On the HitmanPro start screen, click “Next” to begin the system scan. No lengthy setup required — it goes straight to work.

   

   

4. Wait for the Scan to Finish

   HitmanPro will now check your computer for malicious programs. This usually takes just a few minutes thanks to its cloud-based scanning.
   

5. Review the Results and Click “Next”

   When the scan is done, HitmanPro will show you everything it found. Click “Next” to remove the detected threats.

   

6. Click “Activate Free License”

   To remove the malicious files, click the “Activate free license” button. This starts your free 30-day trial — no payment details needed — and unlocks the full cleanup.
   

   When the removal is complete, HitmanPro will show a summary of everything it cleaned. Click Next, then click Reboot if prompted. If there’s no reboot prompt, click Close. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the HitmanPro log and ask for help in our forum.

STEP 6: Use AdwCleaner to remove malicious browser policies and adware

We’ll now use AdwCleaner to remove malicious browser policies and unwanted browser extensions — the leftovers that keep hijacking your browser settings even after the malware itself is gone.

AdwCleaner is a free on-demand scanner that specializes in adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted toolbars — the exact threats that mainstream antivirus programs often miss. It also includes tools that repair the damage malware leaves behind, like hijacked browser settings and malicious policies. It’s a quick scan that’s well worth running.

1. Download AdwCleaner

   Click the button below to download AdwCleaner — it’s free, portable, and requires no installation.

   

   Malwarebytes AdwCleanerRemoves adware and unwanted programs at no cost

   Download AdwCleanerOpens the official download page in a new tab.

2. Run AdwCleaner

   Open your Downloads folder and double-click the file named “adwcleaner.exe“. There’s no installation — the program starts right away.
   

   If Windows asks whether you want to allow AdwCleaner to run, click “Yes“. When the license agreement appears, click I agree to continue.

   

3. Leave “Reset Chrome policies” off unless you need it

   AdwCleaner can reset Chrome policies, the settings that malware sometimes uses to lock your browser so you can’t change it back. This option removes every Chrome policy, including legitimate ones set by an employer, a school, or parental-control software, so leave it off for a normal scan.

   AdwCleaner applies this option only if you run Basic Repair at the end of the cleanup. Malwarebytes advises running Basic Repair only when a support agent asks you to, and it also runs every other repair action that is turned on in the same list. If this is your own personal PC and chrome://policy in Chrome lists policies you didn’t set, ask for help in our forum instead. On a work or school computer, ask the IT administrator.

4. Start the Scan

   Click “Dashboard” on the left side of the window, then click the “Scan Now” button.

   

5. Wait for the Scan to Finish

   AdwCleaner will now check your computer for adware and other malware. This usually takes only a few minutes — it’s one of the fastest scanners around.

   

6. Quarantine the Detected Threats

   When the scan finishes, AdwCleaner lists everything it found. Review the list and uncheck any program you installed on purpose and want to keep, then click Next. If AdwCleaner also found preinstalled software, it shows that list next. Review it the same way, then click “Quarantine“. Older versions show the Quarantine button on the first list, as in the image below.

   

7. Click “Continue” to Finish the Cleanup

   Save any open work first — AdwCleaner needs to close your open programs before it can clean. When you’re ready, click the “Continue” button.
   

   AdwCleaner will now move the selected items to quarantine. If it asks you to restart your PC, allow it. When you’re back in Windows, AdwCleaner may offer a Basic Repair. Click Skip Basic Repair. Malwarebytes recommends running Basic Repair only when a support agent asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.

STEP 7: Perform a final check with ESET Online Scanner

Finally, we’ll run ESET Online Scanner as a last check for anything the earlier scans missed. A clean result is a good sign, but no scanner can guarantee that a computer is malware-free.

ESET Online Scanner is a free second-opinion scanner that performs a deep, full-system check for viruses, trojans, rootkits, and other malware. We use it as the final step because it’s thorough and can catch threats the earlier scans missed. A clean result is a good sign, but no scanner can guarantee that a computer is malware-free.

1. Download ESET Online Scanner

   Click the button below to download ESET Online Scanner.

   

   ESET Online ScannerFree one-time malware scan from ESET

   Download ESET Online ScannerOpens the official download page in a new tab.

2. Run the Installer

   When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click “esetonlinescanner.exe“.
   

3. Install ESET Online Scanner

   On the start screen, select your language from the drop-down menu and click Get started.

   

   On the Terms of use screen, click Accept.
   

   Choose your preferences for the Customer Experience Improvement Program and the Detection feedback system (either choice is fine), then click Continue.
   

4. Start a Full Scan

   Click Full Scan — this checks your entire computer, not just the common hiding spots.

   

   Select Enable for Detection of Potentially Unwanted Applications — this lets ESET catch adware and bundled junk programs, not just viruses. Then click Start scan.

   

5. Wait for the Scan to Finish

   ESET will now check every file on your computer. Because it’s a full scan, this can take a while — often an hour or more, depending on how much data you have. Leave it running in the background and check on it from time to time.

   

6. Review the Results

   When the scan completes, the Found and resolved detections screen appears. Detected threats are usually cleaned and quarantined automatically. Click View detailed results to see exactly what was removed, and ask for help in our forum if any item could not be cleaned.
   

   If ESET found nothing, restart your computer and check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, ask for help in our forum.

When you’ve finished these steps, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.

Keep your PC protectedStop the next infection before it starts

If your antivirus let this threat through, it may not be enough on its own. Malwarebytes Premium adds real-time protection that blocks malware, ransomware, and malicious websites before they can infect your computer.See Malwarebytes Premium

If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

• Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
• Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.