i.instagram.com
Virtual security experts have been warning users about a popular Direct Message (DM) scam, which could be related to a specific type of a Trojan horse infection, called i.instagram.com. i.instagram.com seems to have focused on spamming users with a Direct Message that asks them to click on the link that will take them to phishing sites .
Typically, such DMs are just a scam and only aim to trick you to click the link from someone you know. This is a virus and your profile can be hacked.. However, if you have opened and interacted with such a message, it is also possible that its creators might have inserted malicious code that you might have triggered the moment you have clicked on the message. That’s why it is a good idea to check your system for hidden malware by running a full scan with a reliable antimalware tool. Trojans such as i.instagram.com can oftentimes be found inside such direct messages and can secretly compromise the computer without you noticing it.
The i.instagram.com Virus
What’s more, such pieces of malware, like the i.instagram.com virus, if you have already been infected with them, could actually be the cause for phishing and scam emails like the one that we described above. That’s why, in this article, we will focus on how to quickly and safely detect and remove the i.instagram.com virus from your computer and how to protect your system in the future.
The removal guide below contains detailed instructions on that, as well as a trusted automatic removal tool for risk-free removal.
If there’s an actual Trojan on your PC, you should be aware of what it might be capable of
Receiving phishing direct messages that ask you to click on them could be just the beginning of what might happen in case that your PC has been infected with a Trojan like i.instagram.com and Wp20.ru. This type of malware might cause much more serious problems if not removed on time. Aside from trying to scam you, the Trojan virus may secretly load the system with other threats such as ransomware, spyware or rootkits, or steal your passwords and other sensitive information in order to further use it for other scam campaigns, theft and fraud.
Unfortunately, by the time you realize what has happened, it might be too late to save your system and your privacy. That’s why you really must not waste time and focus on how to remove the infection in the fastest and the most risk-free way. The i.instagram.com removal tool on this page and the instructions in the removal guide can greatly help you with that, but for future protection, you really have to think about investing in reliable antivirus software. Keeping away from insecure web locations, sketchy ads, and illegal websites may prevent some malicious programs from entering your system, but oftentimes the danger may come from a single careless click on a legitimate-looking transmitter and this is when a security program might come in handy.
SUMMARY:
Name | i.instagram.com |
Type | Trojan |
Danger Level | High (Trojans are often used as a backdoor for Ransomware) |
Symptoms | This Trojan may initially lack any particular symptoms, which makes its detection really difficult. |
Distribution Method | Malicious emails and attachments, spam, torrents, pirated content, malvertising, illegal websites. |
Detection Tool |
Remove i.instagram.com Virus
If you are looking for a way to remove i.instagram.com you can try this:
- Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner of your Windows OS.
- Go to Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> Uninstall a Program.
- Search for i.instagram.com and any other unfamiliar programs.
- Uninstall i.instagram.com as well as other suspicious programs.
Note that this might not get rid of i.instagram.com completely. For more detailed removal instructions follow the guide below.
If you have a Windows virus, continue with the guide below.
If you have a Mac virus, please use our How to remove Ads on Mac guide.
If you have an Android virus, please use our Android Malware Removal guide.
If you have an iPhone virus, please use our iPhone Virus Removal guide
Some of the steps will likely require you to exit the page. Bookmark it for later reference.
Reboot in Safe Mode (use this guide if you don’t know how to do it).
WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!
Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC at the same time and go to the Processes Tab. Try to determine which processes are dangerous.
Right click on each of them and select Open File Location. Then scan the files with our free online virus scanner:
After you open their folder, end the processes that are infected, then delete their folders.
Note: If you are sure something is part of the infection – delete it, even if the scanner doesn’t flag it. No anti-virus program can detect all infections.
Hold together the Start Key and R. Type appwiz.cpl –> OK.
You are now in the Control Panel. Look for suspicious entries. Uninstall it/them. If you see a screen like this when you click Uninstall, choose NO:
Type msconfig in the search field and hit enter. A window will pop-up:
Startup —> Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer or otherwise look suspicious.
- Remember this step – if you have reason to believe a bigger threat (like ransomware) is on your PC, check everything here.
Hold the Start Key and R – copy + paste the following and click OK:
notepad %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/hosts
A new file will open. If you are hacked, there will be a bunch of other IPs connected to you at the bottom. Look at the image below:
If there are suspicious IPs below “Localhost” – write to us in the comments.
Type Regedit in the windows search field and press Enter.
Once inside, press CTRL and F together and type the virus’s Name. Right click and delete any entries you find with a similar name. If they don’t show up this way, go manually to these directories and delete/uninstall them:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—–Random Directory. It could be any one of them – ask us if you can’t discern which ones are malicious.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—Microsoft—-Windows—CurrentVersion—Run– Random
HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—Microsoft—Internet Explorer—-Main—- Random
If the guide doesn’t help, download the anti-virus program we recommended or try our free online virus scanner. Also, you can always ask us in the comments for help!
Thanks for the helpful tips! I was able to remove the instagram virus from my phone using the methods you suggested