Discovered: March 9, 2004
Updated: February 13, 2007 12:22:46 PM
Also Known As: Worm.Win32.Dedler [Kaspersky], W32/Dedler.worm.gen [McAfee]
Type: Worm
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP
W32.Dedler.Worm is a network-aware worm that copies itself to open network shares.
To delete the DNS entries added to the Windows hosts file
Note: The location of the Hosts file may vary and some computers may not have this file. For example, if the file exists in Windows 98, it will usually be in C:\Windows; and it is located in the C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\etc folder in Windows 2000. There may also be multiple copies of this file in different locations.
Follow the instructions for your operating system:
- Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000
- Click Start, point to Find or Search, and then click Files or Folders.
- Make sure that "Look in" is set to (C:) and that "Include subfolders" is checked.
- In the "Named" or "Search for..." box, type:
hosts
- Click Find Now or Search Now.
- For each Hosts file that you find, right-click the file, and then click Open With.
- 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 in the Hosts file, except for the following line:
127.0.0.1 localhost
- Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.
- Windows XP
- Click Start > Search.
- Click All files and folders.
- In the "All or part of the file name" box, type:
hosts
- Verify that "Look in" is set to "Local Hard Drives" or to (C:).
- Click More advanced options.
- Check Search system folders.
- Check Search subfolders.
- Click Search.
- Click Find Now or Search Now.
- For each Hosts file that you find, right-click the file, and then click Open With.
- 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 in the Hosts file except for the following line:
127.0.0.1 localhost
- Close Notepad and save your changes when prompted.
Protection
-
Initial Rapid Release version March 10, 2004
-
Latest Rapid Release version July 3, 2009 revision 022
-
Initial Daily Certified version March 10, 2004
-
Latest Daily Certified version July 3, 2009 revision 023
-
Initial Weekly Certified release date March 10, 2004
Click for a more detailed description of Rapid Release and Daily Certified virus definitions.
Threat Assessment
Wild
-
Wild Level: Low
-
Number of Infections: 50 - 999
-
Number of Sites: More than 10
-
Geographical Distribution: Low
-
Threat Containment: Easy
-
Removal: Moderate
Damage
Distribution
-
Distribution Level: Medium
Writeup By: Scott Gettis