New Disguised Spyware Package Attacks Computers

According to Security Researchers at FaceTime Security Labs, a new online attack that imitates the terrible "blue screen of death" to hide itself quietly installs spyware programs onto unsuspecting users' computers.

Spyware, as security analysts define it, is typically a small piece of malicious software that loads itself onto a user's PC through deceptive means. This primarily means that user has permitted the installation of the spyware onto his/her computer by clicking on a misleading link or button. However, certain spyware programs install themselves without user-interaction when a certain Website is opened on the PC, and the user remains unknown of his personal information being compromised.

Commenting on the recent spyware attack, Chris Boyd, Director of malware Research at FaceTime Labs, said that hiding a blizzard of corrupt files that load onto a computer behind the cover of a regular screensaver that a security specialist has created is quite weird, as reported by darkREADING on July 10, 2008.

Describing the malware proliferation, security researchers disclosed that the attack results in the installation of the Smiddy and Fake.AV spyware programs allowing the attacker to gain full control over the infected computer.

As per security analysts, the Fake.AV spyware tricks end-user into buying various phony anti-spyware applications by generating a number of legitimate-looking advertisements that encourage the end-user for buying the software.

And while Fake.AV spreads via the manner mentioned above, Smiddy spyware spreads by manipulating the potential victim into running a vicious copy of explorer.exe so that the attacker can gain control of his/her computer. The spyware hunts for and erases critical anti-malware products related to ESET Nod32 and QQDoctor.

FaceTime Labs also stated that when the installation of the spyware is complete, the screen displays different fake alerts about the presence of spyware on the system, with links pointing to cleansing software that actually leads the PC to a fatal trap.

However, reports obtained so far also indicate to the extent of spread of the infection, and as it appears to be increasingly emerging on support and help forums, the widespread of the spyware programs is confirmed.

Related article: New Zealand Releases Code To Reduce Spam

» SPAMfighter News - 7/25/2008