Windows 7 RC Leaked Out, its Copies Found with Trojan

Some Windows users, who have downloaded the operating software new upgrade of '7 Release Candidate', are reporting that counterfeit copies of 7 RC on P2P file-sharing websites are embedded with Trojan virus. Reportedly, in the 4th week of April 2009, Windows 7 RC leaked prior to its launch when copies of the software were first found on BitTorrent websites on April 24, 2009.

Security researchers have commented that whenever a big release of a major upgrade takes place, it oddly makes its way out on the open source P2P network. The same has occurred with Windows 7, they point out.

Moreover, Frank Fontaine, a participant on a BitTorrent discussion forum Neowin.net, warns that people who might be downloading the recently developed RC component of Windows 7 should know that many of the software downloads contain malicious Trojan in its EXE setup, as reported by ComputerWorld on May 4, 2009. Mr. Fontaine said that on running his antivirus, he found that the 'codec.exe' file was a generic Trojan.

Furthermore, another user of the new product Mr. WuNgUn recognized the malicious program as Trojan 'Falder' that installs 'scareware' (bogus security software on computers). It also plants a rootkit component to escape detection by antivirus products.

Commenting on the point, Alex Kochis, Director of Microsoft's Anti-piracy Technology Team, Genuine Windows said via a blog of the company, the incidence of leakage suggests that some people invariably seek to take advantage of considerable interests generated for something like Windows 7 in attempts to exploit innocent users, as reported by ComputerWorld on may 4, 2009.

Thus, the security specialists advise users to ensure the authentication of MD5 checksum with the safe MD5 on ISO download, and if no match between the two is noticed, then they must not run the downloaded files. Although AV software is able to detect the Trojan before it gets loaded, users would still do better to remain alert beforehand.

Meanwhile, according to the specialists, Windows 7 RC isn't the only leaked software that hosts an exploit. During January 2009, security researchers cautioned that counterfeit copies of Apple's iWork '09 package also carried a Trojan, which compromised Macs PCs.

Related article: Windows XP Fault Strike Firewall

» SPAMfighter News - 5/9/2009