Trojan Posing as Windows 7 Compatibility Test
It had to happen eventually.
Earlier this week, BitDefender discovered that a trojan is preying on consumers looking to upgrade to Windows 7. As always, an email is involved, appearing official and matching Microsoft's own Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor website. In a somewhat cheesy announcement found here, BitDefender said it was only a matter of time before hackers took advantage of the OS launch.
"Here’s how the plotline goes: a deceptive "help" message reaches Windows users' Inboxes and recommends that they download Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Setup," BitDefender said. "This piece of software supposedly allows them to see if their system resources can support the new OS. All they have to do is open the attached .zip file."
The rest should be rather obvious: the zip file hides Trojan.Generic.3783603, and contains "malicious or potentially unwanted" software which installs itself on the system. The trojan is also known to install a backdoor for hackers to access the infected system and unleash total mayhem. "This backdoor may then be used by cybercriminals to upload and install additional malicious or potentially unwanted software on the captured system," BitDefender said.
Obviously the best defense against this kind of threat is to simply not open attachments from unknown sources. Readers should make it a point to spread the word, especially to the mainstream consumers looking to upgrade to Windows 7.
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The weakest link in internet security is always behind the monitor (Pr0n, dancing bunnies, super duper internet speed enhancer, whatever it might be, if the user want's to see it, he will click "yes")
I wonder how come countries haven't started teaching "basic internet security" in schools by now, it's long overdue.
The weakest link in internet security is always behind the monitor (Pr0n, dancing bunnies, super duper internet speed enhancer, whatever it might be, if the user want's to see it, he will click "yes")I wonder how come countries haven't started teaching "basic internet security" in schools by now, it's long overdue.
Thats because it keeps us at IT employed
Thats because it keeps us at IT employed
Who do you think creates these viruses? We have to look after ourselves!
One word sums this up....PEBMAC
One word sums this up....PEBMAC
lol
The weakest link in internet security is always behind the monitor (Pr0n, dancing bunnies, super duper internet speed enhancer, whatever it might be, if the user want's to see it, he will click "yes")I wonder how come countries haven't started teaching "basic internet security" in schools by now, it's long overdue.
Idiots will be idiots, everyone takes driving tests yet they still speed and do stupid things.
Malware writers have the same Windows compatibility concerns as security software developers. Of course some people think they are the same developers but that's a different problem.
I bet this is already being blocked by large email providers like Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft/Hotmail.
you can't patch human ignorance...
There is actually a good solution to this problem: get Windows 7 hehehe
If you already have it, the e-mail won't make any sense to uninformed people who unfortunately weren't taught to look what the real URL is. (appears at the bottom of the screen when you hover the mouse over the link in the e-mail).
Sadly, this does not solve the computer illiteracy problem...
You can't fix idiocy.
You can't fix idiocy.
Yeah you can. Take off all warning labels and let the problem take care of itself.
(I am aware that this is a quote from somewhere
It had to come eventually, I suppose.
I wonder if my mother would open that email.
Then again, it's not my computer and I already spent a lot of time cleaning the crap up.
I've always been a believer that if you download it, install it, believe the ad etc., then you get what you deserve.
I knew pretty much form day 1 to be cautious on the net. Then again, I've always been paranoid.
Hmmmm for you guys being very tech savvy, you don't seem to know the difference between hacker and cracker, you might want to look it up before you use it. You have just described a cracker and not a hacker. Google it.
YEAH
^ sorry about that.
YEAH, the Genuine trojan Microsoft released for XP a few years ago.