Emotet Banking Trojan & Botnet Loader

What is EMOTET-BOTNET-LOADER?

This critical-severity issue affects the malware/security. Emotet is an advanced, modular banking trojan that operates primarily as a downloader or loader for other malware (such as TrickBot or Ryuk). It spreads through malicious email attachments (macros) and propagates laterally across networks. Work through the steps below in order.

Common Causes

• Opening malicious email links or attachments with enabled macros
• Weak administrative passwords enabling lateral network brute-force attacks
• Lack of email spam filtering and macro execution restrictions

Step-by-Step Fix Guide

• 1
  Disable Microsoft Office macros by default via Group Policy

  "Disable Microsoft Office macros by default via Group Policy" targets opening malicious email links or attachments with enabled macros, one of the documented causes of EMOTET-BOTNET-LOADER.

• 2
  Run a complete offline security scan using Microsoft Defender

  For lingering EMOTET-BOTNET-LOADER cases, "Run a complete offline security scan using Microsoft Defender" is worth running through.

• 3
  Isolate infected machines from the local network

  "Isolate infected machines from the local network" is worth trying when weak administrative passwords enabling lateral network brute-force attacks turns out to be the culprit.

• 4
  Implement email protection rules (DMARC, SPF, DKIM)

  "Implement email protection rules (DMARC, SPF, DKIM)" targets opening malicious email links or attachments with enabled macros, one of the documented causes of EMOTET-BOTNET-LOADER.

Commands & Diagnostics

Frequently Asked Questions