F-Secure Alerts Users against New Trojan

F-Security, an Internet security company, has cautioned computer users that a new Trojan is circulating in the wild pretending to be Windows software.

The Trojan W32/DatCrypt makes the user believe that certain files on his computer like Microsoft Office files, music and video files have been damaged, but actually 'DatCrypt' encrypts them.

Subsequently, the Trojan shows an apparently genuine Windows message recommending a file repair application, Data Doctor 2010, which the user should download and install.

But on downloading and installing, the software repair just a single corrupt file, while the user is told that he should now buy the software complete version by paying $89.95. Once the payment is made, the files will be restored.

Commenting on the Trojan, Wing Fei Chia, Senior Manager -Security Response at Security Lab of F-Secure APAC, states that it works in an extremely tricky manner. The user perhaps feels relieved when he gets back his files, but may not realize the trick against him of extorting money in return of files, Fei Chia contends, as reported by Computerworld on January 27, 2010.

Security analysts stated that the above kind of criminal schemes turned out effective only when an end user lacked updated security software. They could also prove true if the security software wasn't designed to detect Trojan DatCrypt. With Trojan DatCrypt now receiving wide publicity, all leading security vendors are actively trying to detect the malware.

Moreover, similar deceptions with ransomware exploited the File Fix Pro service in 2009, implying that the trick of cyber criminals is not new. Actually, the new assault is merely a slight modification of the old attack.

The F-Secure researchers state that these online attacks just work in case the user doesn't have proper back-up files of his original ones. As a result, the Company recommends that every user must maintain a back-up of his vital data on a regular basis. The backup can be kept on detachable equipments like USB thumb drives, CDs or DVDs or it can stored with reliable Internet resources.

Related article: F-Secure Alerts against Bogus Windows Update Sites

» SPAMfighter News - 2/2/2010