Win32/Hacty threat description - Microsoft Security Intelligence

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Published Jun 23, 2005 | Updated Sep 15, 2017

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Detected by Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Aliases: No associated aliases

Windows Defender Antivirus detects and removes this threat.

This family of backdoor trojans can record which keys you press and send this information to a malicious hacker. They can also use your PC in distributed denial of service (DDos) attacks.

The following free Microsoft software detects and removes this threat:

Microsoft Defender Antivirus for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, or Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows 7 and Windows Vista
Microsoft Safety Scanner
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

Even if we've already detected and removed this particular threat, running a full scan might find other malware that is hiding on your PC.

Get more help

You can also visit our advanced troubleshooting page or search the Microsoft virus and malware community for more help.

If you’re using Windows XP, see our Windows XP end of support page.

Threat behavior

When a Win32/Hacty variant runs, it can take actions such as the following:

Log keystrokes
Terminate processes
Run commands and programs by starting a remote command shell
Intercept certain Windows API calls in order to hide resources such as registry keys and values, processes, users, services, files, directories, and ports. The API calls are redirected to Win32/Hacty code that the Trojan has injected into processes running on the computer
Conduct distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks on servers using ping, UDP, Syn, or mstream flooding
Exchange files between the infected computer and the attackers' computer
Communicate with attackers through a backdoor. The trojan may open a port for this purpose or use a port that is already open. The following protocols may be used: