Trojan
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32.exe Worm
Posted by admin on 25 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: Internet Explorer, Malware, Registry, Registry Cleaner, Trojan, Windows
Not to be mistaken for a critical System 32 file, the 32.exe file is actually a worm which has become notorious for its widespread infection via email. The file preys on our instinct not to touch important looking files, and it also comes with a generator function that will place a random set of characters before the 32.exe. This is to dissuade people from searching the file by name and finding a fix for the problem.
It is deemed low risk and it doesn’t severely compromise the integrity of a system, but it has the capacity to spread rapidly due to its email formula.
It’s worth noting that the actual virus doesn’t come from an email attachment. It is spread by forcing people to click on innocuous looking links in email bodies. The virus then downloads on to the computer directly.
It becomes ingrained in the Windows Registry and this enables the worm to ensure that it is run every time the user restarts Windows. For that reason alone, it can be very difficult to delete without prior knowledge of what you’re looking for.
The 32.exe virus is officially referred to as a Win32.Bofra.E. It copies itself to the System directory but you will need to look closely to find it as there’s no easy way of telling what the prefix to the file will be.
The best way to avoid a 32.exe infection is to ensure that you have a sufficient anti-Virus protection suite in place. The idea of the virus is that while some protection apps may scan attachments for corrupt files, very few of them are capable of checking links in the email itself, until they’ve been clicked, of course. And at that time, it’s too late for many.
You should ensure that you have protection against phishing, which is known to have been contrived through the use of certain32.exe files. It’s also important to block out spyware and malware since these are both damaging not just in the sense that they clog your system, but they open the door for more harmful viruses too.
You will need to run a comprehensive scan of your hard drive to search out the 32.exe virus. It can be located quicker by simply scanning the System directory. But it’s a good habit to use scanning software on the entire hard drive. Pair this with a registry cleaner and you’ll be able to weed out the corrupted files.
Please note that it is necessary to use a registry cleaner, even if the disk-cleanup seems to do the trick at first.
The nature of the Win32.Bofra.E is that it is designed to re-spawn when you boot from scratch. If you don’t remove the registry entries that trigger the virus in to life, you will be simply removing it temporarily until the next start up.
You will only contract the virus if you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer when you open the email link. This is because the worm capitalizes on a security loophole whereby it’s possible to plant malicious content in an IFrame. The same technique isn’t such an issue if you’re using Mozilla Firefox or one of many independent browsers.
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PC Security for beginners
Posted by admin on 11 Oct 2007 | Tagged as: Antivirus, Computer, Firewall, Security, Software, Trojan
There are several things that all users should be aware of when using a computer. Security has become a very important aspect to surfing the internet in a safe and effective manner and this guide will help you ensure that you are taking the proper precautions to stay protected from hackers.
First of all, you are going to want to make sure that you have an antivirus program installed on your computer. However, having an antivirus program is not enough. You also need to know how to use it correctly and how to update it regularly to get the most protection you can from it.
When selecting an antivirus program to use, make sure that it will protect you from all point of entry. The most common of course are Internet connections and e-mail. You are also going to want to make sure that your antivirus program offers regular updates, technical support, rapid response to new viruses that are discovered and an early warning system. If the antivirus program does not offer these, then you are not going to get the most out of it.
If you have already got an antivirus program on your computer, be sure to read all of the documentation that was provided with it so that you fully understand what to do in case a virus is detected. You will also want to perform regular scans of your system and make sure that your permanent protection is enabled so that the antivirus program is always checking for viruses while you are using the Internet and e-mail clients.
An antivirus program is not enough on its own. You are also going to need to install a firewall on your computer. A firewall will help to prevent unauthorized access to your computer and will often block software from downloading to your computer from unsafe websites. Once again, be sure that you fully read any documentation that came with your firewall software, so that you can properly configure it without exposing yourself to security risks.
Of course there are always some instances in which you could not prevent an attack on your computer. That is why it is a good idea to make regular backups of your files so that you can restore your computer in the case that an attack occurs. Be sure to prioritize your data so that it is easier to restore if it does get lost.
If you have followed the above steps, you are well on your way to a safe and secure computer. However, another way that hackers attack computers is by using security loop-holes in applications. That is why it is important to always install patches and updates that a developer has created for their software. You are also going to want to stay away from pirated software and patches often will not work on them and sometimes vunerabilities are included in the copy that you receive.
Finally, use your common sense. If you receive files that you were not expecting, do not open them. They could often contain a virus. Make sure that your antivirus program scans e-mail messages before you open them, even if you know the sender and no matter what you do, do not download from dubious Internet websites.
PC Trojan Horse threat
Posted by pcfix on 06 Aug 2007 | Tagged as: Computer, Malware, Operating System, Program, Security, Software, Spyware, Trojan
A Trojan horse is a small program that will install a malicious program on your computer. It will be disguised as something else to help trick a computer user into loading it. Sometimes a Trojan horse will appear to be a useful program or application but can be very harmful to your computer once it is executed.
There are two different types of a Trojan horse. The first one is useful software that has been modified by someone to include a malicious code that will run on your computer while you are running the other software. The other type is a program that has been disguised as something else such as a picture or game in an attempt to trick a computer user into running the file.
There are a few guidelines that should be followed so that you can protect yourself from the many Trojan horses that are out on the internet. Trojan horses are most commonly send through email systems so if you receive an email from someone that you do not know, do not open any attachments that are included in the email unless you can confirm the source of them first. Sometimes you may even receive a Trojan horse from someone you know as hackers are able to steal address books from time to time. If the email you have received from a friend does not make sense, then do not open any files attached to it.
When you are initially setting up your email application, be sure that you do not allow it to open attachments automatically. This would cause a Trojan horse to be executed before you can do anything about it. Some email applications have the ability to scan attachments before opening them. These would be preferable to one that does not.
Perhaps the most important thing that you can do to protect yourself from Trojan horses and Viruses alike is to be sure that you have an up to date anti-virus program running on your computer. If the anti-virus application has a setting for automatic updates, be sure to turn them on so that you do not have to worry about forgetting to update your definition files.
Finally, be sure that you are installing any operating system patches that are provided to correct security loop-holes and avoid using any peer to peer applications. Also, if you are still concerned about getting a Trojan horse, you can download and install an anti-Trojan program that can be found for free on the internet.
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