W32.Kassbot.A

Risk Level 2: Low

Discovered: May 19, 2005

Updated: February 13, 2007 12:39:07 PM

Also Known As: Win32.Kassbot.D [Computer Asso, Backdoor.Win32.Delf.zq [Kasper, Generic BackDoor.d [McAfee], W32/Kassbot-D [Sophos], BKDR_KASSBOT.D [Trend Micro], TSPY_BANKER.RE [Trend Micro]

Type: Worm

Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP

SUMMARY

W32.Kassbot.A is a network-aware worm that opens a back door through IRC. The worm monitors for access to certain financial Web sites, logging keystrokes when they are visited.

Protection

Initial Rapid Release version May 20, 2005
Latest Rapid Release version June 30, 2009 revision 023
Initial Daily Certified version May 20, 2005
Latest Daily Certified version June 30, 2009 revision 032
Initial Weekly Certified release date May 24, 2005

Click here for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.

Threat Assessment

Wild

Wild Level: Low
Number of Infections: 0 - 49
Number of Sites: 0 - 2
Geographical Distribution: Low
Threat Containment: Easy
Removal: Moderate

Damage

Damage Level: Medium

Distribution

Distribution Level: Medium

TECHNICAL DETAILS

When W32.Kassbot.A is executed, it performs the following actions:

Copies itself as %System%\spools.exe.

Note: %System% is a variable that refers to the System folder. By default this is C:\Windows\System (Windows 95/98/Me), C:\Winnt\System32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:\Windows\System32 (Windows XP).
Drops the following files:
- %System%\xee32.dll - which is detected as Hacktool
- %System%\xbccd.log
Adds the value:

"Spools Service Controller" = "%System%\spools.exe"

to the registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Runso that the risk runs every time Windows starts.
Monitors Internet connections for access to the following financial Web sites with the following URLs:
- abnamrofutures.com
- activebanking.de
- allbank.de
- allianz.de
- amdirect.ambg.com.my
- americanexpress.com
- apobank.de
- arabbank.com
- asbbank.co.nz
- asia.citibank
- axabanque.fr
- b2b.de
- bacaf.at
- baj.com.sa
- bamernet.hn
- banco-general.com
- bank of india
- bank.eldersruralbank.com.au/banking/ERBIBanking/
- bankhaus-mayer.de
- banking-service.de
- banking.apobank.de
- banking.apobank.de/
- banking.bankhaus-mayer.de/login.php
- banking.bmwbank.de/dbc/login.html
- banking.bw-bank.de
- banking.bw-bank.de/frame.html
- banking.cc-bank.de
- banking.co.at
- banking.degussa-bank.de/de/
- banking.degussa-bank.de/de/start.htm
- banking.diba.de/DIBA?rqh=STARTUP&ZIEL=main
- banking.diba.de/OnlineBanking/index.html
- banking.donner.de/default.jsp
- banking.elba.at/html/login.jsp
- banking.europace.ie/epps/login.dialog?p_loginmask=gmac
- banking.hypo.at/html/login.jsp
- banking.ing-diba.at/dibaonline/login.jsp
- banking.martinbank.de/login.aspx
- banking.privatbank.at/html/login.jsp
- banking.raiffeisen.at/html/login.jsp
- banking.santander.de
- banking.santander.de/sdb/prepareLogin.do
- banking.seb.de
- banking.seb.de/pt/
- banking.vkb-bank.at/html/login.jsp
- bankingonline.de
- banklenz.de
- bankone
- bankone.com.au
- banpais.hn
- barclaycard.de
- baufinanzierung.dslbank.de
- baufinanzierung.dslbank.de/webcredit-frontoffice/LoginSeite.jsp
- bawag.com.at
- bendigobank.com.au
- berenbergbank.de
- bgl.lu
- billscenter
- billscenter.paytrust.com/csp/CSPServlet/Login?
- bks-banking.at
- blc direct
- bmwbank.de
- bob.bankwest.com.au
- bob.bankwest.com.au/BWAMain.asp
- boq.com.au
- brokerage.comdirect.de
- brokerage.comdirect.de/index.jsp?ziel=duallogin&permissionId=memberdatamaintenance&errorCode=0
- btfunds
- cash.rin.ru/cgi-bin/auth.pl
- cebit.de
- cetelem.de
- citibank.co.uk
- citibiz
- citibusinessonline.da-us.citibank.com/cbusol/busSignOn.do
- commerzbanking.de
- cortalconsors.de
- creditmutuel.fr
- creditplus.de
- creditplus.de/cgi-bin/WebObjects/BOV4?Einstieg=Haendler
- daimlerchrysler-bank.de
- davis-company.com
- debema.de
- degussa-bank.de
- deutsche-bank.de
- deutsche-factoring.de
- dfbonline.deutsche-factoring.de/dfbonline/html/index.htm
- dhbbank.com
- diba.de
- dollarbank
- donner.de
- dresdner.de
- dslstar.de
- dws-direkt.deutsche-bank.de/check.asp?id=6110B558-0AC2-33DB-0502-520914080619
- e-bank.feibbank.com/index.htm
- e-bank.wuestenrot.de/pkmsstepuplogin.form
- ebank.hsbc.co.nz
- ebank.laiki.com/CommonUI/eBankAUUI/LoginAU.aspx
- ebanker.arabbank.com.au/
- ebanking.bawag.com/InternetBanking/InternetBanking?d=login&lang=de&svc=BAWAG
- ebanking.bgl.lu/en/bgl
- ebankinter
- elba.at
- eldersruralbank
- etimebanker.bankofthewest.com/SITE/6.0_signin/signin.asp
- europace.ie
- ewm.ubs.com/de00-safe-login/Login?handler=SAFEGetLogin
- fcb-e-bank.com
- feibbank
- fh-vie.ac.at
- fiservdmecom
- fiservdmecom1
- fnc.asbbank.co.nz/
- gad.de
- generalibank.at
- global-banking.de
- hbci-banking.allbank.de/fb3/jsp/allbank/de/login
- hoernerbank.de
- homebank.tsbbank.co.nz
- homebank.tsbbank.co.nz/
- homebanking-berlin.de
- hypo.at
- ib.national.com.au/nabib/login.jsp
- ib2.inetbank.net.au
- ibank.stgeorge.com.au/html/index.asp?origin=ABA&redirected=True&JavaVendor=MICROSOFT&ClientPlatfor
- inetbnkp.adelaidebank.com.au/OnlineBanking/AdBank
- ing-diba.at
- ingretirem
- internetbanking.gad.de/banking/banking;
- internetbanking.gad.de/banking/portal?bankid=4967
- internetbanking.suncorpmetway.com.au/sml/logon.asp?
- investing.schwab.com/trading/start?&AddrChangeAuth
- izb.de
- kiwibank.co.nz
- konto.xcom-bank.de/b2cbp/login.do;jsessionid
- laiki.com
- leu.directnet.com/dn/c/cls/auth?language=
- macquarie
- martinbank.de
- mein.raiffeisen.at/personalization/
- midamerica
- mmgbank
- my.banklenz.de/RequestLayer?
- my.hypovereinsbank.de
- my.hypovereinsbank.de/prot/templates/login_frame.jsp
- my.ingretirementplans.com/INGAccess/SULLogin.fcc
- myaxa.de
- national inter bank
- national-bank.de
- national.com
- necu
- netbank
- netbank-money.de
- netbanking.at
- netbanking.sozialbank.de/smartoffice/
- networld-ebanking.de
- noname.de
- norisbank.de
- oberbank-banking.at
- olb.westpac
- online-banking.de
- online-banking.vwbank.de
- online-banking.weberbank.de/home/index.htm
- online-service.allianz.de/identityprovider_app/aos/identityprovider
- online.btfunds.com.au/retailinvestor/investor
- online.dollarbank.com/cgi-bin/rsa2clnt.dll/NB%20-%20Main/ND000_
- online.westpac.com.au/SignIn
- onlinebanking.norisbank.de/norisbank/login.do?method=login
- onlineservices
- onlineservices.amp.com.au/logon/eservicesLogon.asp?activated=true
- personal.macquarie.com.au
- portal-banking.de
- portal01.commerzbanking.de/P-Portal/XML/IFILPortal/pgf.html?Tab=3
- portal1.izb.de/ihb/dkb-bank/Main
- privatbank.at
- privatebanking.debema.de/dbm/how.jsp
- privatkunden.union-investment.de
- raiffeisen.at
- sabadella
- saradar
- schwab
- schwaebische-bank.de
- sec.westpac.co.nz
- sec.westpac.co.nz/IOLB/newSession
- secure.accu
- secure.accu.com.au/
- secure.americanfederal.net
- secure.bankone.com.au/login.asp?check
- secure.dnetz-b2b.de/ssl_peugeotbank/bstkdn/login.asp
- secure.easy-car-credit.de/anmelden.asp
- secure.easy-car.de
- secure.nationalinterbank.com/Scripts/ni4.dll=
- secure.rabobank.com.au
- secure.rabobank.com.au/ribs/scripts/abtwsac.exe/clientInternetView
- servicebank.at
- services.credit-suisse.de
- services.credit-suisse.de/pbi/pbov/c/cls/auth
- sozialbank.de
- ssl.4alpha.de/ios-4alpha/onlinefiliale/php/zugang/anmelden2.php?SID=
- sso.americanexpress.com/SSO/request?
- standardchartered.com
- stgeorge
- suncorpmetway
- superbank.co.nz
- svr1.instant-ecash.com
- swkbank.de
- swkbank.de/page/kontakt/login.php?PHPSESSID=
- ubs.com.de
- union-investment.de
- uniservices3.uobgroup
- uniservices3.uobgroup.com/CLO/Pub_ControllerServlet?cmd=customerlogin&action=clologin
- visionsfcu
- vkb-bank.at
- volswagen.de
- vr-ebanking.de
- web.cplnn.com/svhost32.exe
- web7.evault.ws/pbi_pbi1961/pbi1961.asp?Rt=121142287&LogonBy
- webbank.standardchartered.com/idc/login.jsp
- wertpapier.schwaebische-bank.de/login.php
- westlbmarkets.net
- westpac
- wsk-bank.at
- wuestenrot.de
- ww2.homebanking-berlin.de/cgi/anfang.cgi
- www.aaztecgold.com
- www.abgoldcommerce.com
- www.abnamrofutures.com/abacus_syd/nfront/Main.asp
- www.amazon.com
- www.americanexpress.com/australia/homepage.shtml
- www.anb.com.sa/tadonline/default.asp
- www.anz.com
- www.anz.com/inetbank/bankmain.asp
- www.anz.com/nz/inetbank/bankmain.asp
- www.asia.citibank.com/asia/index/hm_leftNav_trans/1,3834,13-en,00.html
- www.axabanque.fr/client/sAuthentification?
- www.bacaf.at/page/start.mv?NOFRAMES
- www.bamernet.hn/ws2/servlet/com.dlya.bantotal.hhbk0700
- www.banco-general.com/bgespanol/index.asp
- www.banking.co.at/m000/ibk/login.html
- www.bankingonline.de/psd-banking/view/index.jsp?blz=10090900&graphics=true
- www.bankingonline.de/sparda-banking/view/index.jsp?graphics=true&blz=
- www.bankofindia.com/home/registration/login.aspx
- www.bankone.com.au/
- www.banpais.hn/flash.asp
- www.barclaycard.de/service/service.php3?start=true&cs_vid_save=
- www.bendigobank.com.au/banking/BBLIBanking/
- www.berenbergbank.de/my_berenberg/index.html
- www.berenbergbank.de/my_berenberg/index_e.html
- www.bks-banking.at/cgi/anfang.cgi/BKS
- www.blcdirect.banquelaurentienne.ca/login
- www.bnz.co.nz
- www.bnz.co.nz/Internet_Banking/0,,10-123,00.html?pmarkC=Image&pmarkK=1227
- www.boq.com.au/EDS.IB/
- www.bv-activebanking.de/
- www.cashcards.net
- www.cebit.de/homepage_e?x=1
- www.cetelem.de/site/haendlerlogin.php
- www.cetelembank.de/site/haendlerlogin.php
- www.citibank.com.au
- www.citibank.com.au/portal/citiau_home_center.jsp?frameval1=customerSigninLink1
- www.cortalconsors.de/euroWebDe/
- www.creditmutuel.fr
- www.daimlerchrysler-bank.com/intrade/disp;jsessionid=
- www.dhbbank.com/NetBanking/TagesGeldLogin.aspx
- www.dresdner-privat.de/index.html?
- www.dslstar.de/epps/login.dialog?p_loginmask=dsl
- www.e-gold.com/acct/login.html
- www.ebank.hsbc.co.nz/jsp/en/login.jsp
- www.ebankinter.com/www/es-es/cgi/ebk
- www.efirstbank.com
- www.eservices.baj.com.sa/default.asp
- www.fcb-e-bank.com/
- www.fh-vie.ac.at/V1/login.aspx?PID=588
- www.firstbanks.com
- www.fiservdmecom1.net
- www.fiservdmecom1.net/PBI_Pbi1961/Pbi1961.asp?Rt=104901940&LogonBy=connect3&PRMAccess=Account&user=t
- www.fiservla3.com/PBI1961.asp?Rt
- www.generalibank.at/geb/jsp/logon_anmelden.jsp
- www.gitgold.com
- www.global-banking.de/aktivbank/login/login.jsp
- www.goldage.net/buy.aspx
- www.goldcurrencies.ca
- www.goldpouchexpress.com
- www.hoernerbank.de/ebanking/
- www.icegold.com
- www.internet-banking-service.de/cgi-bin/catwaycgi?runScript=login&
- www.kiwibank.co.nz/banking/login.asp
- www.londongoldexchange.com
- www.loyalbank.com
- www.metal-escrow.com
- www.midamericabank.com/s_log_into.cfm
- www.mmgbank.com/scripts/mmg.dll?lang=
- www.myaxa.de/myaxa/login/LogInput.do
- www.national-bank.de/www/frames/10_00_00.asp?mid
- www.ncrbanks.com/
- www.necu.com.au/802292V3/ntv3.asp?wci=entry
- www.netbank-money.de/netbank-banking/view/index.jsp?blz=20090500&graphics=true
- www.netbanking.at/netbanking/index.start;jsessionid=
- www.netbanking.at/netbanking/index.start?
- www.netteller.com/
- www.oberbank-banking.at/LoginHomepage.htm
- www.omnipay.com
- www.portal-banking.de/wps/portal/!ut/p/.scr/Login?view=spb&blz=
- www.sabadellatlantico.com/=
- www.saradar.com/sfp/sfp_ef_html/public_page.html
- www.servicebank.at/cgi/anfang.cgi/BTV
- www.site-secure.com/cgi-bin/cgig555.exe/newport/SID/GetLogon
- www.superbank.co.nz/ExpressBanking/login.asp
- www.tampaexchange.net
- www.thebullionexchange.com
- www.visionsfcu.com/cgi-bin/mcw000.cgi?MCWSTART5&
- www.vr-ebanking.de/index.php?
- www.vr-networld-ebanking.de/index.php?
- www.westlbmarkets.net/cms/sitecontent/ib/
- www.winweb.seceti.it/webapp/winweb/ProfileUsersServlet?banca=
- www.wsk-bank.at/wsk/user/index.ndm/singlelogin
- www0.advisernet.com.au/aol/cgi-bin/advhome/advancehome.cgi
- www1.internet-trading1.com
- www1.netbank.commbank.com.au/netbank/bankmain.htm
- www2.bankingonline.de/sparda-banking/view/index.jsp?graphics=true&blz=
- xcom-bank.de
Monitors Internet connections for access to financial Web sites with the following titles:
- BrownCo | Online Investing
- Login to Ameritrade
- ameritrade
- AMCORE Online
- amcore
- Zions Bank: Home Page
- zions
- FirePay.com
- fire pay
- T&C Federal Credit Union: Home Page
- t&c
- Union State Bank - Portal
- union state
- Farmers & Merchants Bank - Login
- farmers
- ESB Bill Pay
- esbbill
- Industrial State Bank
- industrial
- Security Bank of Kansas City
- security of kansas
- Login - Peoples Bank
- Premier Bank
- peoples
- Kansas State Bank
- kansas state bank
- The Mission Bank
- the mission
- First Bank of Newton
- Hillcrest Bank
- hillcrest
- Welcome To Metcalf Bank
- metcalf
- Valley View Bank
- valley
- The Bennington State Bank
- benington
- firststateks.com
- firststateks
- Login - Commerce Bank
- commerce
- Kendall State Bank
- kendal state
- The Trust Company of Kansas - Online Access
- trust of kansas
- Amarillo National Bank
- amarillo
- Sumx Banking
- sumx
- Busey Financial Services
- busey
- Chase.com Home Page
- chase
- Commerce Online
- commerce2
- Juniper - Save Time and Money with the Juniper Credit Card
- juniper
- ATBOnline
- atb
- American Savings Bank
- amsavings
- Banamex.com
- banamex
- Banca Popolare di Bergamo
- bergamo
- Bradesco - Colocando voc
- bradesco
- Unibanco.com
- unibanko
- Banco de Reservas - Portal Financiero
- reservasIT
- Banco di Caribe Online
- di caribe
- Banco Ita
- Banregio
- banregio
- Banespa
- banespa
- Bank Midwest
- midwest
- Bank Independent
- independment
- United Commercial Bank
- united commercial
- Bank of the Orient
- Bank of the Cascades
- cascades
- American Gateway Bank
- american gateway
- Welcome to Brenham National Bank
- brenham national
- Bruceton Bank, Your Community Bank.
- bruceton
- Beneficial Home
- beneficial
- Sofinco : Cr
- sofinco
- www.socgen.com
- socgen
- Bienvenue sur La Poste.fr
- la poste FR
- Caisse d'Epargne, jeunes, associations, professionnels, entreprises, pme,
- caisse FR
- LAFCU
- lafcu
- KeyPoint Credit Union
- keypoint
- Alpha Bank
- alphabank
- TIBLink Internet Banking Sign On
- tibbank
- Welcome to Nodaway Valley Bank Online
- nodawayvalleybank
- First Hawaiian Bank
- fhb
- Bendingo e-banking
- bendigo
- First Tennessee
- firsttennessee
- Tompkins Trust - Community Banks in Ithaca
- tompkinstrust
- Bank Austria Creditanstalt
- baca
- Transaction Manager Deutsche Bank
- deutschebank
- Fidelity Investments
- fidelity
- Morgan Stanley Online
- dwdean
- Postbank Banking Service
- postbank
- Dresdner Bank - Privatkundenportal
- dresdner_privat
- moneybookers.com - and money moves
- moneybookers
- Welcome to FlyntDigital
- flyntdig
- Bankwest Online Business Banking
- bankwest
- DEFCREDIT Direct
- defcredit.com.au
- NetBank - Logon
- EzyBank
- Heritage on-line
- heritage
- ANCU - Internet Banking Login
- ancu
- ANZ E*TRADE
- anz_etrade
- Washington Mutual - Log On
- wamu
- http:/ /mbk.rbc.ru
- RBC RUS
- WitnessInfo - Logon
- witness info
- Charter One Bank
- charteronebank
- Buy E Gold
- Cambist.net
- Personal Banking
- on line banking
- Internet Banking
- Web Banking
- Home Banking
Logs the keystrokes typed into the financial Web page.
Connects via TCP Ports 1051 and higher to a predetermined IRC server on the ern.nnctx.com.ru domain, providing an attacker back door access to perform some or all of the following commands:
- Set up a proxy server
- Participate in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks
- Download and execute files, some of which may include an updated version of the worm
- Monitor internet activity for specific financial Web sites
- Log keystrokes
- Act as an email relay, allowing remote attackers to route email
- List, stop, and start processes and services
- Redirect HTTP traffic to alternate Web sites
- Modify, delete, and execute files or folders
Modifies the Hosts file by adding the following lines to prevent access to the specified host(s), some of which may be security related:

d-ru-1f.kaspersky-labs.com d-ru-1h.kaspersky-labs.com d-ru-2f.kaspersky-labs.com d-ru-2h.kaspersky-labs.com d-eu-2f.kaspersky-labs.com d-eu-2h.kaspersky-labs.com d-eu-1f.kaspersky-labs.com d-eu-1h.kaspersky-labs.com d-us-1f.kaspersky-labs.com d-us-1h.kaspersky-labs.com downloads1.kaspersky.ru downloads2.kaspersky.ru downloads3.kaspersky.ru downloads4.kaspersky.ru downloads5.kaspersky.ru www.kaspersky.ru kaspersky.ru kaspersky-labs.com www.kaspersky-labs.com barclays.co.uk hsbc.co.uk ibank.barclays.co.uk kaspersky-labs.com kaspersky.ru lloydstsb.co.uk nwolb.com online.lloydstsb.co.uk personal.barclays.co.uk www.barclays.co.uk www.hsbc.co.uk www.kaspersky-labs.com www.kaspersky.ru www.lloydstsb.co.uk www.lloydstsb.com www.nwolb.com

Recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

Use a firewall to block all incoming connections from the Internet to services that should not be publicly available. By default, you should deny all incoming connections and only allow services you explicitly want to offer to the outside world.
Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.
Ensure that programs and users of the computer use the lowest level of privileges necessary to complete a task. When prompted for a root or UAC password, ensure that the program asking for administration-level access is a legitimate application.
Disable AutoPlay to prevent the automatic launching of executable files on network and removable drives, and disconnect the drives when not required. If write access is not required, enable read-only mode if the option is available.
Turn off file sharing if not needed. If file sharing is required, use ACLs and password protection to limit access. Disable anonymous access to shared folders. Grant access only to user accounts with strong passwords to folders that must be shared.
Turn off and remove unnecessary services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, threats have less avenues of attack.
If a threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied.
Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services.
Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread threats, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
Isolate compromised computers quickly to prevent threats from spreading further. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using trusted media.
Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.
If Bluetooth is not required for mobile devices, it should be turned off. If you require its use, ensure that the device's visibility is set to "Hidden" so that it cannot be scanned by other Bluetooth devices. If device pairing must be used, ensure that all devices are set to "Unauthorized", requiring authorization for each connection request. Do not accept applications that are unsigned or sent from unknown sources.
For further information on the terms used in this document, please refer to the Security Response glossary.

REMOVAL

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
Remove the entries added to the Hosts file.
Update the virus definitions.
Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected.
Delete any values added to the registry.

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, reenable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.

For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder (Article ID: Q263455).

2. To remove all the entries that the risk added to the hosts file

Navigate to the following location:
- Windows 95/98/Me:
  %Windir%
- Windows NT/2000/XP:
  %Windir%\System32\drivers\etc
  
  Notes:
- The location of the hosts file may vary and some computers may not have this file. There may also be multiple copies of this file in different locations. If the file is not located in these folders, search your disk drives for the hosts file, and then complete the following steps for each instance found.
- %Windir% is a variable that refers to the Windows installation folder. By default, this is C:\Windows (Windows 95/98/Me/XP) or C:\Winnt (Windows NT/2000).
Double-click the hosts file.
If necessary, deselect the "Always use this program to open this program" check box.
Scroll through the list of programs and double-click Notepad.
When the file opens, delete all the entries added by the risk. (See the Technical Details section for a complete list of entries.)
Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.

3. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the document: Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the document: Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).

The latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.

4. To scan for and delete the infected files

Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
- For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document: How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
- For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document: How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files.
Run a full system scan.
If any files are detected, click Delete.

Important: If your Symantec antivirus product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, Windows may be using the file. To fix this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document: How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.

After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with the next section.

Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the threat may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:

Title: [File path]
Message body: Windows cannot find [file name]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.

5. To delete the value from the registry
Important: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified subkeys only. For instructions refer to the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

Click Start > Run.
Type regedit
Click OK.

Note: If the registry editor fails to open the threat may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.
Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
In the right pane, delete the value:

"Spools Service Controller" = "%System%\spools.exe"
Exit the Registry Editor.