McAfee > Theat Center > Virus Detail Page

Overview

This is a trojan detection. Unlike viruses, trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that they are beneficial or wanted. The most common installation methods involve system or security exploitation, and unsuspecting users manually executing unknown programs. Distribution channels include email, malicious or hacked web pages, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), peer-to-peer networks, etc.

Characteristics

This detection covers many nondescript generic trojans - typically one-off creations that have been received by AVERT.  It is not for a specific trojan or trojan family, but a general category or group of trojans which can be generically detected by Anti-Virus software.

Symptoms

As this is a generic detection, specific details are not possible. Trojans will often install themselves into the Windows or System Directory (e.g. C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 by default, on Windows XP) and create a registry key to cause it to relaunch on restart.

Some common registry restart locations are as follows:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
  Run
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
  RunServices
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
  Run
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
  RunServices

Method of Infection

Trojans are not viruses, and as such do not posess the ability to replicate.  They are spread manually, often under the premise that the executable is something beneficial. 

Trojans are often mass spammed by the author to entice people into double-clicking on them.  Distribution channels for such spamming include IRC, peer-to-peer networks, newsgroup postings, and email.  Alternatively, they may be installed by visiting a malicious web page - this is typically done either by clicking on a link, or by the website hosting a scripted exploit which installs the trojan onto the user's system without the need for further user interaction.  They may also be downloaded by other viruses and/or trojans to be installed on the user's system.

Removal

All Users:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

Modifications made to the system Registry and/or INI files for the purposes of hooking system startup, will be successfully removed if cleaning with the recommended engine and DAT combination (or higher).

Variants

Variants

N/A

All Information

Overview -

This is a trojan detection. Unlike viruses, trojans do not self-replicate. They are spread manually, often under the premise that they are beneficial or wanted. The most common installation methods involve system or security exploitation, and unsuspecting users manually executing unknown programs. Distribution channels include email, malicious or hacked web pages, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), peer-to-peer networks, etc.

Characteristics

Characteristics -

This detection covers many nondescript generic trojans - typically one-off creations that have been received by AVERT.  It is not for a specific trojan or trojan family, but a general category or group of trojans which can be generically detected by Anti-Virus software.

Symptoms

Symptoms -

As this is a generic detection, specific details are not possible. Trojans will often install themselves into the Windows or System Directory (e.g. C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 by default, on Windows XP) and create a registry key to cause it to relaunch on restart.

Some common registry restart locations are as follows:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
  Run
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
  RunServices
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
  Run
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
  RunServices

Method of Infection

Method of Infection -

Trojans are not viruses, and as such do not posess the ability to replicate.  They are spread manually, often under the premise that the executable is something beneficial. 

Trojans are often mass spammed by the author to entice people into double-clicking on them.  Distribution channels for such spamming include IRC, peer-to-peer networks, newsgroup postings, and email.  Alternatively, they may be installed by visiting a malicious web page - this is typically done either by clicking on a link, or by the website hosting a scripted exploit which installs the trojan onto the user's system without the need for further user interaction.  They may also be downloaded by other viruses and/or trojans to be installed on the user's system.

Removal -

Removal -

All Users:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.

Modifications made to the system Registry and/or INI files for the purposes of hooking system startup, will be successfully removed if cleaning with the recommended engine and DAT combination (or higher).

Variants

Variants -

N/A