Iplogger.org

Iplogger.org is a misleading URL that may be misused by malware for tracking users’ IP addresses 

Iplogger.org or Iplogger.com is a website that allows users to track people’s IP addresses by sharing shortened links with them. In addition, people can download an app IP LOGGER for free on Google Play Store and other sources for shortening the URLs and quick access to full logs and statistics for the clicks on those links. While the service is handy for webmasters and bloggers, cybersecurity experts warn that unexpected web browser’s redirects to Iplogger.org domain are not a good sign and can mean a trojan infection. 

Based on research results, the Iplogger.org site can be automatically launched by Trojan:Win32/Hynamer.C!ml, Trojan.Agent.Wacatac, and Logger.exe trojans aiming to track users’ web browsing activities and harvest device IDs, Internet Service Provider (ISP), IP address, location, date, and time of website visits, and similar. Thus, suspicious browser’s redirects or other signs of unusual behavior should not be ignored, especially by those people who are not using the IP LOGGER app. 

Iplogger.org URL shortener site is regularly accessed by thousands of users. The app for Windows and Androids is also popular, especially in the USA, India, Brazil, Germany, and Russia^[1]. It’s important to stress the fact that the service this site provides and the app that it promotes are legitimate and useful for admins that want to monitor detailed visitors’ logs and statistics. 

Iplogger.org service is used worldwide, though many users may not know about its controversial behavior

Iplogger.org service is used worldwide, though many users may not know about its controversial behavior

However, there are many dissatisfied users who report^[2] the Iplogger.com virus for generating wrong IP addresses, false locations, showing the same result, or displaying an error saying “Check your internet connection.” The majority of users believe this app to be fake. 

While its performance is in question, calling the URL as an Iplogger.org virus has a clear ground. Cybersecurity experts have noticed that this domain is quite frequently misused by criminals who seek to harvest IP addresses, locations, and other browser-based data without users’ permission. The main signal indicating that the IP LOGGER related trojan has infected the machine – random redirects to this site or other related domains, including:

• sslupdate1.top
• iplogger.org
• iplogger.com/1kfvV6
• apps.identrust.com
• isrg.trustid.ocsp.identrust.com
• ocsp.int-x3.letsencrypt.org
• sslupdate2.top

In addition, this site may be involved in an active IP tracking, storing, and using itself. During the Coronavirus pandemic, many coronavirus-related websites have been found including suspicious scripts that belong to the iplogger.org domain. According to the researchers from Unit 42^[3], the obfuscated script on sites like coronavirus-game.ru were used for dropping the invisible iframe that automatically sends visitor’s IP addresses to the host iplogger service. 

Iplogger.org accomplice in a ransomware attack

In the middle of March 2020, Trend Micro^[4] team reported a new strain of Paradise ransomware that has been actively spreading via Internet Query Files. Although the payload of the ransomware has been dispersed in malicious spam email attachments, upon the launch it misuses the IQY files to make queries on the Internet to download Excel formulas allowing to misuse Windows PowerShell and CMD. 

Iplogger.org redirects may be triggered by a trojan horse, which seeks to harvest browsing activity logs

Iplogger.org redirects may be triggered by a trojan horse, which seeks to harvest browsing activity logs

So how the Iplogger.org is related to this cyber attack? A close analysis of the Paradise ransomware launch has shown that this domain is an active accomplice. It’s one of the URLs (hxxps://iplogger[.]org/1AsWy7) that the ransomware opens to establish a connection with the C2C server. That’s yet another worrying fact proving that the site is often used by criminals.  

AnyRun^[5] analysis also detects the Iplogger.org redirects as malicious as the site is capable of initiating certain activities behind users’ backs. It is capable of: 

• launched itself
• change internet zones settings
• change settings of System certificates
• read internet explorer settings
• adds/modifies Windows certificates
• create files in the user directory (FlashUtil32_26_0_0_131_ActiveX.exe)
• reads Internet Cache Settings
• reads settings of System Certificates, and more

In general, if the web browser keeps redirecting your web browser to this URL, you should start worrying about the Iplogger.org virus removal. If you are using the IP LOGGER app, then it may be the culprit of the unwanted redirects. If nevertheless, the app is not installed, we recommend scanning the machine with a powerful anti-virus to delete trojan or other related malware. 

You may not be permitted to remove Iplogger.org from your web browser easily since trojans may be blocking the processes of security software. To disable infringing processes, reboot Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Once the machine is virus-free, optimize its performance with Reimage Reimage Cleaner Intego tool. 

Malware prefers unpatched system and reckless PC users

IP LOGGER shortener can be downloaded as a desktop and Android app, though experts do not recommend using it.

IP LOGGER shortener can be downloaded as a desktop and Android app, though experts do not recommend using it.

Outdated and unprotected software and OS is a target for malware developers. Keep in mind that dangerous programs will never ask for permission to get a place on the system. Criminals are using various tricksters to make people download trojans, ransomware, and other malicious programs. 

For this purpose, people should mind the three steps rule – update the system, use professional security software, and be careful on the Internet. Windows users can take advantage of the automatic update feature, which ensures a regular updating of software, OS components, and security systems, thus increasing the system’s resistance to malware infections. However, we strongly recommend checking the update history regularly to ensure that all updates have successfully been installed. 

Nevertheless, NoVirus.uk^[6] researchers claim that even the well-patched and updated system can be attacked by viruses if the user behaves recklessly on the Internet. Downloading pirated software, cracks, keygens, visits to adult sites, or other untrustworthy domains always pose a risk of being exposed to dangerous content. Email messages should also be treated with carefulness since spam is the main mediator between malicious programs and PCs. Thus, it’s important to think twice before clicking on any online content. 

Learn how to remove Iplogger.org related malware from the system

Iplogger.org can be used interchangeably with Iplogger.com domain. The two are identical. If your machine exhibits the symptoms of potential infection because of redirects via the mentioned domain servers, we recommend scanning it with SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes or another professional security tool immediately. As we have pointed out, these sites are not only related to the IP LOGGER application. They can be misused by trojans or ransomware viruses, so try to forestall future problems by deleting the virus as soon as it starts running.

In case you cannot remove Iplogger.org virus because such a virus is not detected by your anti-virus tool, there might be that the URL is being launched by other potentially unwanted applications or altered web browser settings. In this case, check the machine for PUPs, delete all of them if detected, and then blacklist the domain within AV settings, so that redirects to it would automatically be blocked.