Virus Alerts – Panda Security’s July 4, 2009 Report on Viruses and Intruders

Courtesy of Panda Security.

This week’s PandaLabs report looks at the Downloader.WFC Trojan, the virus Brontok.KN and the adware AVProtection 2009.

Downloader.WCF reaches computers in an email that includes a link claiming to point to a video of Michael Jackson’s death on YouTube.

On clicking the link, users download a file that passes itself off as a video. On running the file, they really install the Downloader.WCF Trojan.

To fool users, the Trojan redirects them to a legitimate web page displaying an article about Michael Jackson to make them believe the file has run correctly.

Brontok.KN is a virus designed to infect executable (.exe) files. The infected files have a folder icon and the name of the existing folder.

Additionally, it deletes files corresponding to several antivirus programs, and ends processes related to security programs and applications such as the Task Manager or the Command console.

Finally, AVProtection2009 is an adware aimed at selling users a fake antivirus. When it runs, it simulates the installation of a legitimate antivirus.

It then carries out a false scan of the affected system, supposedly detecting threats on the PC.

Afterwards, it informs users that the software is a trial version and that they must purchase a pay version to disinfect the computer.

If users do not purchase the pay version, it also displays pop-up messages.

The objective is to profit from selling the premium version of spoof antiviruses.

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