Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM
Sarah Oconnell
Updated on March 04, 2026
What is Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM infection?
In this short article you will find concerning the definition of Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM and also its adverse effect on your computer. Such ransomware are a type of malware that is clarified by on-line frauds to demand paying the ransom money by a target.
In the majority of the cases, Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM ransomware will certainly instruct its victims to start funds transfer for the purpose of neutralizing the amendments that the Trojan infection has introduced to the sufferer’s tool.
Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM Summary
These adjustments can be as adheres to:
- The binary likely contains encrypted or compressed data. In this case, encryption is a way of hiding virus’ code from antiviruses and virus’ analysts.
- The executable is compressed using UPX;
- Deletes its original binary from disk;
- Installs itself for autorun at Windows startup. There is simple tactic using the Windows startup folder located at:
C:\Users\[user-name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\Startup. Shortcut links (.lnk extension) placed in this folder will cause Windows to launch the application each time [user-name] logs into Windows.The registry run keys perform the same action, and can be located in different locations:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- Creates a copy of itself;
- Collects information to fingerprint the system. There are behavioral human characteristics that can be used to digitally identify a person to grant access to systems, devices, or data. Unlike passwords and verification codes, fingerprints are fundamental parts of user’s identities. Among the threats blocked on biometric data processing and storage systems is spyware, the malware used in phishing attacks (mostly spyware downloaders and droppers), ransomware, and Banking Trojans as posing the greatest danger.
- Ciphering the papers situated on the target’s disk drive — so the victim can no more make use of the information;
- Preventing regular accessibility to the victim’s workstation;
Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM
One of the most typical channels through which Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM Ransomware are infused are:
- By means of phishing e-mails;
- As a repercussion of user winding up on a resource that holds a destructive software;
As quickly as the Trojan is successfully injected, it will certainly either cipher the data on the victim’s computer or avoid the gadget from working in a correct way – while additionally placing a ransom note that discusses the demand for the sufferers to effect the settlement for the function of decrypting the papers or restoring the documents system back to the preliminary condition. In most instances, the ransom note will certainly come up when the customer reboots the COMPUTER after the system has already been damaged.
Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM distribution networks.
In numerous edges of the globe, Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM grows by leaps as well as bounds. Nevertheless, the ransom money notes and also techniques of obtaining the ransom amount may vary relying on certain regional (regional) settings. The ransom notes as well as tricks of obtaining the ransom money quantity might vary depending on certain regional (local) settings.
For example:
Faulty informs concerning unlicensed software application.
In specific areas, the Trojans usually wrongfully report having actually identified some unlicensed applications allowed on the sufferer’s device. The alert after that demands the customer to pay the ransom money.
Faulty statements about prohibited material.
In countries where software application piracy is much less popular, this approach is not as efficient for the cyber scams. Additionally, the Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM popup alert may falsely assert to be stemming from a law enforcement institution and also will certainly report having located child pornography or other illegal information on the gadget.
Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM popup alert might incorrectly claim to be deriving from a law enforcement institution and will certainly report having located kid porn or other unlawful data on the device. The alert will in a similar way have a requirement for the user to pay the ransom.
Technical details
File Info:
crc32: 514E9966md5: 99d4f917753dfc7e88d376a40fcb81d9name: 99D4F917753DFC7E88D376A40FCB81D9.mlwsha1: 91deafb27ec16859b004a7b0a72feb112e6656fbsha256: 0e2e0c67686eebaa20d98b5970d7e7af8089ce4f06f03ce84b77e0ddd38bb0cfsha512: f6c670902324ccdc92769423387c14e9a9b6f531337f29e1375cdd279a52e186a9ff47e701565206e8795fb1e24b2f77c58e8e374ffdc879f2f91fe453de9a2bssdeep: 6144:8QbgPleIbfzwZvndpoQ/Xg1CIWNdEpe3rMT/U5A4fZHntQjtsCWALpOv4UBS:1gPlVbfi/oQ/Q1CApJ/h4tt0eCWAl6Dtype: PE32 executable (GUI) Intel 80386, for MS Windows, UPX compressedVersion Info:
0: [No Data]
Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM also known as:
| GridinSoft | Trojan.Ransom.Gen |
| Bkav | W32.AIDetect.malware1 |
| K7AntiVirus | Spyware ( 0053345d1 ) |
| Elastic | malicious (high confidence) |
| DrWeb | Trojan.Siggen8.20624 |
| ClamAV | Win.Malware.WebMonitorRAT-7663776-1 |
| McAfee | Artemis!99D4F917753D |
| Cylance | Unsafe |
| Zillya | Trojan.Agent.Win32.903978 |
| Sangfor | Trojan.Win32.Save.a |
| CrowdStrike | win/malicious_confidence_70% (D) |
| Alibaba | Ransom:Win32/Blocker.98aa67d5 |
| K7GW | Spyware ( 0053345d1 ) |
| Cybereason | malicious.7753df |
| Symantec | ML.Attribute.HighConfidence |
| ESET-NOD32 | a variant of Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM |
| APEX | Malicious |
| Avast | FileRepMalware |
| Cynet | Malicious (score: 100) |
| Kaspersky | Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Blocker.lcft |
| BitDefender | Generic.Keylogger.2.06230B5D |
| NANO-Antivirus | Trojan.Win32.Hijacker.femegb |
| MicroWorld-eScan | Generic.Keylogger.2.06230B5D |
| Tencent | Win32.Trojan.Hijacker.Hwwi |
| Ad-Aware | Generic.Keylogger.2.06230B5D |
| Sophos | Mal/Generic-S |
| Comodo | Malware@#27rpujquzxstw |
| BitDefenderTheta | Gen:NN.ZexaF.34678.vmGfa0DJaFl |
| McAfee-GW-Edition | BehavesLike.Win32.Generic.fc |
| FireEye | Generic.mg.99d4f917753dfc7e |
| Emsisoft | Generic.Keylogger.2.06230B5D (B) |
| SentinelOne | Static AI – Malicious PE |
| Jiangmin | Trojan.Blocker.ioz |
| Avira | TR/Hijacker.Gen |
| eGambit | Unsafe.AI_Score_99% |
| Microsoft | Trojan:Win32/Occamy.B |
| Arcabit | Generic.Keylogger.2.06230B5D |
| ZoneAlarm | HEUR:Trojan.Win32.Generic |
| GData | Generic.Keylogger.2.06230B5D |
| AhnLab-V3 | Trojan/Win32.Agent.R238153 |
| Acronis | suspicious |
| VBA32 | BScope.TrojanRansom.Blocker |
| MAX | malware (ai score=100) |
| Panda | Trj/Genetic.gen |
| Rising | Spyware.Agent!8.C6 (TFE:5:bHBfDUYO4XE) |
| Yandex | Trojan.GenAsa!fLAJmSpmeiY |
| Ikarus | Trojan-Spy.Agent |
| Fortinet | W32/Generic.AC.4159be!tr |
| AVG | FileRepMalware |
| Paloalto | generic.ml |
| Qihoo-360 | Win32/Ransom.Blocker.HwsBEpsA |
How to remove Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM virus?
There is no better way to recognize, remove and prevent PC threats than to use an anti-malware software from GridinSoft">2.
Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
You can download GridinSoft Anti-Malware by clicking the button below:
Download GridinSoft Anti-MalwareRun the setup file.
When setup file has finished downloading, double-click on the setup-antimalware-fix.exe file to install GridinSoft Anti-Malware on your system.
An User Account Control asking you about to allow GridinSoft Anti-Malware to make changes to your device. So, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Press “Install” button.
Once installed, Anti-Malware will automatically run.
Wait for the Anti-Malware scan to complete.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will automatically start scanning your system for Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM files and other malicious programs. This process can take a 20-30 minutes, so I suggest you periodically check on the status of the scan process.
Click on “Clean Now”.
When the scan has finished, you will see the list of infections that GridinSoft Anti-Malware has detected. To remove them click on the “Clean Now” button in right corner.
Are Your Protected?
GridinSoft Anti-Malware will scan and clean your PC for free in the trial period. The free version offer real-time protection for first 2 days. If you want to be fully protected at all times – I can recommended you to purchase a full version:
Full version of GridinSoft Anti-Malware
If the guide doesn’t help you to remove Win32/Spy.Agent.PQM you can always ask me in the comments for getting help.
References
- GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review from HowToFix site:
- More information about GridinSoft products:
