W32.Baki.A

Updated: March 20, 2013 Worm 4 Comments

This page contains detailed analysis on W32.Baki.A. To get rid of this Trojan, please use the removal guide below.

W32.Baki.A is a worm that can lower security settings on the infected system by ending related processes. It can spread by dropping a copy of itself to local and removable drives. It will also drop autorun.inf file to execute the worm when user opens the affected drive. This worm will also add its own entry on Windows registry to run itself when the system starts.

Once the code is applied to the computer, W32.Baki.A will disable registry editor by closing any windows containing the classname RegEdit_RegEdit. Apart from that, it will also end any active windows if it matches a string relevant to antivirus or security software. Aside from targeting the registry editor, the worm also tweaks the system to block user’s access to control panel, system restore, folder options, and task manager.

It runs a text messages on Windows start up from this registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon\”LegalNoticeText” = “KIBAKI FOR PRESIDENT VOTE KIBAKI FOR A BETTER FUTURE. We need a person who have thought of tomorrow and willing to salvage our country .Kibaki have done so in the past five years. KIBAKI TOSHA TENA”

The above message will appear on the desktop as a text file after user logon to Windows. As observe, it contains a campaign message for Presidential election in central Kenya.

Damage Level: Medium

Systems Affected: Windows 9x, 2000, XP, Windows Vista

How to Remove W32.Baki.A

NOTE: We suggest that you PRINT or BOOKMARK this guide. There are steps that we may have to restart the computer in order to successfully remove the threat.

Step 1 : Scan and remove W32.Baki.A with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware

This guide requires a tool called Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. It is a free tool designed to eradicate various computer infections including W32.Baki.A. MBAM scanner and malware removal tool is distributed for free.

1. In order to completely remove W32.Baki.A, it is best to download and run the recommended tool. Please click the button below to begin download.

Download Tool

2. After downloading, double-click on the file to install the application. If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, right-click on the file and select 'Run as administator' from the list.
3. When User Account Control prompts, please click Yes to proceed with the installation.

4. Follow the prompts and install as 'default' only. There are no changes needed during the installation process.
5. Before the installation procedure ends, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will ask for database update, please proceed.

MalwareBytes Anti-Malware Update

6. Click Finish button after installation. Program will run automatically run and you will be prompted to update if newer version of database is available.
7. At this moment, close MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and proceed with the next step.

Run a thorough scan in Safe Mode to remove W32.Baki.A

8. Remove all media such as floppy drive, cd, dvd, and USB devices. Then, restart the computer.
9. Before Windows begins to load, press F8 on your keyboard.
10. It will display the Advanced Boot Options menu. Select Safe Mode.
11. Windows will now start in Safe Mode. It runs on minimal set of drivers so expect your desktop to load a low-resolution display.

Safe Mode

12. Once Windows is running on Safe Mode, find the icon of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. Double-click to launch the program.
13. Choose Perform full scan on scanner's console to ensure that it thoroughly check the PC for any presence of W32.Baki.A and other forms of threats. Click the Scan button to start.

MBAM Scan

14. Once the scan has completed, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will issue a list of identified threats. Mark all threats and click on Remove Selected.
15. If it prompts to restart the computer, please reboot Windows normally.

Step 2 : Run a scan with your antivirus program

1. Repeat the process of starting Windows in Safe Mode with Networking.
2. Open your antivirus program and download the most recent update. This method ensures that your antivirus program can detect even newer variants of W32.Baki.A.

Updating your antivirus software is a one-click process. Please refer to your software manual for complete instructions.

3. Once updating is finished, run a full system scan on the affected PC. After the scan, delete all infected items. If unable to clean or delete, better place the threat in quarantine.

Step 3: Run another test with online virus scanner

Another way to remove W32.Baki.A without the need to install additional antivirus software is to perform a thorough scan with free online virus scanner. It can be found on websites of legitimate antivirus and security provider.

1. Click the button below to proceed to the list of suggested Online Virus Scanner. Choose your desired provider. You can run each scan individually, one at a time, to ensure that all threats will be removed from the computer. This may require plug-ins, add-on or Activex object, please install if you want to proceed with scan.

Online Virus Scan

2. After completing the necessary download, your system is now ready to scan and remove W32.Baki.A and other kinds of threats.
3. Select an option in which you can thoroughly scan the computer to make sure that it will find and delete entirely all infections not detected on previous scan.
4. Remove or delete all detected items.
5. When scanning is finished, you may now restart the computer in normal mode.

Alternative Removal Procedures for W32.Baki.A

Option 1 : Use Windows System Restore to return Windows to previous state

If W32.Baki.A enters the computer, there is a big chance that Windows files, registry entries and other essential components are also infected. System Restore can reinstate clean system files by restoring the configuration to an earlier date. The method also replaces compromised files with a clean version. If you have a saved restore point before W32.Baki.A infiltrates the PC, we highly encourage you to execute this procedure if none of the above works.

To verify if System Restore is active on your computer, you can type system restore into the Start menu search box. Typing rstrui on the same box and pressing Enter also opens this function.

System Restore

If previous restore point is saved, you may proceed with Windows System Restore. Click here to see the full procedure.

Option 2 : W32.Baki.A manual uninstall guide

IMPORTANT! Manual removal of W32.Baki.A requires technical skills. Deleting system files and registry entries by mistake may result to total disability of Windows system. We advise you to perform a backup of registry before proceeding with this guide.

1. Kill any running process that belongs to W32.Baki.A.
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Del on your keyboard.
- When Windows Task Manager appears, look for W32.Baki.A files (refer to Technical Reference) and click End Process.

End Task

2. Delete all registry entries that belong to this malware.
- Press [Windows Key]+R on your keyboard.
- In the 'Open' dialog box, type regedit and press Enter. This will open registry editor.
- Find and delete registry entries as mentioned in Technical Reference section.
- Close registry editor. Changes made will be saved automatically.

Run Regedit

3. Scan the computer with antivirus program.
- Connect to Internet and open your antivirus software. Please update to obtain the latest database and necessary files.
- Restart the computer in Safe Mode.
- Just before Windows logo begins to load press F8 on your keyboard.
- On Windows Advanced Boot Options, select Safe Mode and press Enter.

4. Delete all files dropped by W32.Baki.A.
- While still in Safe Mode, search and delete malicious files. Please refer to 'Technical Reference'. Make sure that you execute 'End Task' first before deleting the file. Otherwise, the system will not let you perform this action.

Technical Reference

Added Registry Entries:Added Registry Entries:

Ways to Prevent W32.Baki.A Infection

Take the following steps to protect the computer from threats. Suggested tools and security setup within installed software helps prevent the same attack on your PC.

Install an effective anti-malware program

Your first line of defense would be an effective security program that provides real-time protection. We have a list of anti-malware program that are tried and tested. It does not only scan files but also monitors your Internet traffic and is extremely active on blocking malicious communication. Click on the button below to download our recommended anti-malware program.

Get Protection Software

Always update your installed software

Software vendors constantly releases updates for programs whenever a flaw is discovered. Getting the updates makes the computer more secured and help prevents Trojan, virus, malware, and W32.Baki.A similar attacks. If in case your program is not set for instant update, it usually offered from vendor's web site, which you can download anytime.

Maximize the security potential of your Internet browser

Each browser has their own feature where in you can adjust the security settings that fit your browsing habit. We highly encourage you to maximize the setup to tighten the security of your browser.

Apply full caution when using the Internet

Internet is full of fraud, malware, and many forms of computer threats including W32.Baki.A. Implement full caution with links that you may receive from emails, social networking sites, and instant messaging programs. It might lead you to malicious sites that can cause harm to your computer. Avoid strange web sites that offers free services and software downloads.