Counter.wmail-service.com is a malicious domain that acts as a command and control (C&C) server for the VenomSoftX malware family. This malware facilitates remote access to infected devices, enabling attackers to steal sensitive data, install additional malware, use the device for nefarious purposes like cryptojacking, and much more.
Specifically, counter.wmail-service.com allows attackers to execute commands on devices infected with VenomSoftX remotely. The malware connects to counter.wmail-service.com to receive commands, upload stolen data, and download additional payloads. This gives attackers a backdoor into the infected system.
VenomSoftX is known for stealthy infection tactics, including spam email campaigns that trick users into downloading attachments or clicking links that install the malware. It can also infect systems through compromised websites using exploit kits and drive-by downloads. Once installed, VenomSoftX contacts counter.wmail-service.com and other C&C servers to receive instructions.
By reverse engineering VenomSoftX samples, security researchers have identified counter.wmail-service.com as a primary C&C server used by this sophisticated malware operation. Blocking communication with counter.wmail-service.com can disrupt malware functions, but fully removing the infection requires additional steps covered later in this guide.
Table of Contents
Infection Vectors
Counter.wmail-service.com typically infects devices through malicious spam email campaigns, compromised websites, and social engineering tactics.
Malicious Spam Emails
One of the most common infection methods is through spam emails containing dangerous links or attachments. These emails trick users into clicking links that lead to counter.wmail-service.com and other malware.
The emails often pretend to be from legitimate companies and contain subject lines designed to get users to open the email. Examples include fake payment receipts, shipping notices, or password reset requests.
If the user clicks the link, they are redirected through several hops to load counter.wmail-service.com eventually. This allows the malware to be downloaded and executed on the victim’s device.
Compromised Websites
Another vector is through websites that have been compromised and are now secretly hosting counter.wmail-service.com. Visiting these infected sites can cause the malware to download in the background without any action from the user.
Drive-by downloads like this allow the malware to infect devices by browsing the web normally. The compromised sites look benign, making this a stealthy infection method.
Social Engineering and Phishing
Finally, social engineering tactics trick users into manually downloading counter.wmail-service.com. This may be done through phishing pages impersonating legitimate services, fake technical support scams, or even messaging apps.
By manipulating users into thinking the malware is legitimate software or an important update, the attackers can get them to download and execute the malicious payload willingly. This allows for infection with very little technical exploitation needed.
Signs of Infection
One of the best ways to detect a counter.wmail-service.com infection is to watch for abnormal behavior on your device that indicates the malware is active. Here are some of the most common signs that counter.wmail-service.com has infected your system:
Pop-ups redirecting to counter.wmail-service.com – One very obvious sign of infection is sudden pop-up windows that redirect you to the counter.wmail-service.com domain, even when you haven’t clicked on anything. This is a tactic used by the malware authors to generate traffic to their command and control server. Any unexpected redirects should be treated as highly suspicious.
New browser toolbars – Malware like counter.wmail-service.com will often install additional components like unauthorized browser extensions or toolbars. Watch for new add-ons or bars in your browser that you did not intentionally install yourself.
Sluggish performance – The active malware in the background can dramatically slow down your computer. If you notice an unusual lag when opening programs or browsing the web, it could mean counter.wmail-service.com is hogging resources.
Suspicious network traffic – Since the malware communicates with its command server, increased or strange network activity is a clue. You may see your internet connection slowing down or new, unfamiliar IP addresses in your router logs or firewall alerts. Unusual traffic when your computer should be idle is also suspicious.
Look closely for any of these signals that counter.wmail-service.com has infected your system. The earlier the infection is detected, the better chances you have of removing the malware before extensive damage is done.
Dangers and Risks of Counter.wmail-service.com
Counter.wmail-service.com is an extremely dangerous infection that gives attackers full access and control over the compromised device. Once infected, the attackers can use the victim’s device for a variety of nefarious and illegal activities:
Full Remote Access – The malware allows attackers to remotely access, view, and control the infected device as if they were using it. They can access files, install programs, modify settings, and more.
Keylogging – The malware logs every keystroke the victim makes, allowing attackers to steal usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and any other sensitive information typed into the device.
Screenshots – At any time the attackers can take screenshots of the victim’s screen, allowing them to see and record sensitive information displayed.
Password and Financial Info Theft – By combining keylogging, screenshots, and remote access, the attackers can easily steal login credentials, financial information, and more for identity theft and fraud.
Cryptocurrency Mining – The processing power of infected devices can be hijacked to mine cryptocurrency like Bitcoin for the financial gain of the attackers. This can significantly slow down system performance.
DDoS Attacks – Groups of infected devices can be coordinated into botnets to overload and take down websites in DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks.
Further Malware Downloads – The infection provides an avenue for attackers to install even more malicious software like Trojans, spyware, and ransomware.
As this overview shows, counter.wmail-service.com provides attackers with comprehensive monitoring, control, and monetization of the infected device. Quick removal is crucial to prevent severe financial, identity, and data theft consequences.
Detection
Detecting if your device has been infected with counter.wmail-service.com involves being vigilant and proactively monitoring for signs of compromise. Here are some methods to determine if counter.wmail-service.com is present:
Antivirus scans – Run a full antivirus scan of your device using a reputable antivirus program like Malwarebytes or BitDefender. This will detect and quarantine any files associated with counter.wmail-service.com. Make sure your antivirus signatures are fully updated first.
Task manager – Open task manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc on Windows) and look for any unknown or suspicious processes running. Counter.wmail-service.com will often run under random process names.
Browser extensions – Carefully examine your browser extensions and remove anything that looks suspicious or that you don’t remember installing. Malware like counter.wmail-service.com commonly installs unwanted browser extensions.
Network traffic – Use a program like Wireshark to monitor your network traffic. Counter.wmail-service.com will communicate with remote servers, often over port 80. Watch for unusual connections.
Being proactive and watching for the signs above can help you quickly determine if counter.wmail-service.com or similar malware is present on your system. Run scans regularly and be cautious of unrecognized processes to stay ahead of infections.
Step-By-Step Removal Guide
Removing counter.wmail-service.com requires taking your device into Safe Mode, scanning with antivirus software, deleting infected files, resetting browser settings, and rebooting your device. Here are the steps:
Enter Safe Mode
- Restart your device and press and hold the F8 key as it powers back on. This will open the Advanced Boot Options menu.
- Select Safe Mode and press Enter. Your device will restart in Safe Mode which loads only the bare minimum drivers and services. This prevents counter.wmail-service.com from loading.
Run a full antivirus scan.
- Download and install a highly-rated antivirus program if you don’t already have one.
- Run a full scan of your entire system. This will detect and quarantine infected files.
Delete suspicious files
- Locate any suspicious executables detected by your antivirus software. The infection may place files in your AppData or ProgramData folders.
- Permanently delete all detected malicious files. Do not send them to the Recycle Bin.
Remove malicious browser extensions.
- Open your browser and check for any unknown or suspicious add-ons and extensions. These may have names like “Search Protect” or “Safe Finder”.
- Remove all unwanted extensions.
Reset browser settings
- Open your browser settings and click “Reset”. This clears out any malicious settings changes made by the infection.
- Clear caches and delete temporary internet files.
Flush DNS
- Open Command Prompt as admin and run
ipconfig /flushdnsto clear out corrupted DNS cache entries.
Reboot normally
- Exit Safe Mode and restart your device normally. The malware should now be removed.
- Run another full antivirus scan to verify the system is clean.
Following these steps will fully remove counter.wmail-service.com from an infected device and reset browsers to a clean state. Be sure to also take steps to prevent reinfection going forward.
Prevent Reinfection
To prevent reinfection after removing counter.wmail-service.com, it’s important to take proactive measures to improve your security and reduce the risk of malware in the future.
Update Software Regularly
Always keep your operating system, software programs, and apps fully updated. Updates often contain important security patches that fix vulnerabilities that malware exploits. Enable automatic updates wherever possible.
Use Strong Passwords
Use long, complex passwords that are unique for every account. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple sites. Consider using a password manager to generate and store strong passwords. Enable two-factor authentication when available.
Avoid Suspicious Links and Attachments
Be cautious when clicking links or downloading attachments, especially from unknown sources. Hover over links to inspect their actual URL before clicking. Don’t open attachments from strangers.
Use a VPN
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and masks your IP address and location, making it harder for attackers to monitor your activity or infect your device. Use a reputable paid VPN provider for stronger protection.
Browser Security Settings
Configure your browser’s privacy and security settings to block pop-ups, disable Flash, and prevent unauthorized extensions from being installed. Only add extensions from trusted sources.
Regular Malware Scans
Run regular scans with an up-to-date antivirus program to detect and remove any malware that may have found its way onto your device. Schedule weekly full system scans.
Improve Overall Security
In addition to removing the infection, it’s important to take proactive measures to strengthen your overall security and prevent reinfection. Here are some tips:
Install reputable antivirus software and keep it updated. Quality antivirus tools like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Malwarebytes can detect and block many threats before they infect your system. Run regular scans to catch any malware that may have slipped through.
Beware of phishing tactics. Cybercriminals often use phishing emails, fake browser alerts, and other social engineering tricks to fool users into downloading malware or sharing sensitive information. Be suspicious of unsolicited messages and don’t click links or attachments from unknown sources.
Practice safe browsing habits. Only visit reputable, trusted websites and avoid pirated content or illegal streaming sites where malware is common. Don’t click ads or pop-ups.
Use a firewall. Firewalls monitor network traffic and can block communication with malicious domains. Windows includes a built-in firewall you can enable for basic protection. Third-party options like ZoneAlarm offer more advanced settings.
Keep all software updated, especially the operating system, browser, plugins and other frequently targeted programs like Adobe Flash or Reader. Updates patch security flaws that malware exploits.
Make backups of important data. That way you can wipe and reinstall your OS if severely infected while minimizing data loss.
Don’t stay logged into accounts and avoid saving passwords in browsers whenever possible. Also use unique complex passwords for each account. This prevents malware and remote attackers from accessing more of your data.
Be wary of public Wi-Fi hotspots. Connecting to open and unsecure networks makes it easier for attackers to implant malware or snoop on your connection. Use a VPN when accessing any public networks.
With vigilance and good security habits, you can avoid becoming infected by threats like counter.wmail-service.com in the future. The best protection is preventing malware from ever gaining a foothold on your system in the first place.
Alternative Removal Options
If the step-by-step removal guide does not fully eliminate the infection, there are a couple other more intensive options to try.
System Restore
Using System Restore to roll back your computer to an earlier restore point before the infection occurred can automatically remove counter.wmail-service.com. This will revert any system files and registry keys that were modified.
- Boot into Safe Mode
- Open System Restore
- Choose a restore point before the infection
- Click Scan for Affected Programs to check for malware-related programs
- Click Next to confirm the restore point and restart the computer
After booting up, run a malware scan to verify the infection is gone.
Reinstall Operating System
The nuclear option is to completely reinstall your operating system, formatting the hard drive to wipe out the malware.
- Back up any important data and files
- Boot from the Windows installation media
- Choose custom install rather than upgrade
- Delete all partitions and reformat the hard drive
- Install Windows fresh on a clean drive
Once installation is complete, restore files and data from a backup made before infection. This ensures any dormant malware hiding in files will be removed.
Conclusion
In closing, the key takeaways for preventing infection or reinfection from counter.wmail-service.com and other malware are:
Keep all your software up-to-date, including your operating system, browser, plugins, and antivirus software.
Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts, and enable two-factor authentication where possible. Consider using a password manager.
Be cautious with links and attachments, especially in unsolicited emails. Only download from trusted sources.
Use a reputable VPN for added security when browsing the web.
Adjust browser security settings to block pop-ups, disable Flash, and prevent auto-downloads.
Run regular antivirus and malware scans. Be on the lookout for signs of infection like suspicious browser extensions.
Always think before granting applications admin privileges or access to your system.
Staying vigilant about security practices is the best defense against malware like counter.wmail-service.com. No single solution will provide complete protection, so employing a combination of software updates, safe browsing habits, protective apps like VPNs, and ongoing system monitoring provides overlapping layers of defense. With awareness and proactive security habits, you can avoid becoming a victim of attacks leveraging dangerous malware like counter.wmail-service.com.
I’m a writer, artist, and designer working in the gaming and tech industries. I have held staff and freelance positions at large publications including Digital Trends, Lifehacker, Popular Science Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, IGN, The Xplore Tech, and others, primarily covering gaming criticism, A/V and mobile tech reviews, and data security advocacy.