Discovered: January 7, 2003
Updated: February 13, 2007 11:56:50 AM
Also Known As: Backdoor.Amitis.12
Type: Trojan Horse
Systems Affected: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP
These instructions are for all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.
- Update the virus definitions.
- Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Backdoor.Amitis.
- Edit the files. Do one of the following:
- Windows 95/98/Me: Edit the Win.ini file and remove the text that the Backdoor Trojan added to the run= and load= lines.
- Windows NT/2000/XP: Edit the registry and remove the lines that the Backdoor Trojan added to the \Run key.
For details on each of these procedures, read the following instructions.
1.
Updating 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 the 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 Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate), in the "Protection" section, at the top of this writeup.
- Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater. The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). 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 Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater), in the "Protection" section, at the top of this writeup.
The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available here. For detailed instructions on how to download and install the Intelligent Updater virus definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site, click here.
2. Scanning for and deleting the infected files detected as Backdoor.Amitis
- Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
- Run a full system scan.
- If any files are detected as infected with Backdoor.Amitis, click Delete.
3. Editing the files
Do one of the following:
- Windows 95/98/Me: Edit the Win.ini file and remove the text that the Backdoor Trojan added to the run= and load= lines.
- Windows NT/2000/XP: Edit the registry and remove the lines that the Backdoor Trojan added to the \Run key.
For detailed information on editing files, read the following instructions.
Editing the Win.ini file
This is necessary only if you are running Windows 95/98/Me.
NOTE for Windows Me users only: Due to the file-protection process in Windows Me, a backup copy of the file you are to edit exists in the C:\Windows\Recent folder. Symantec recommends that you delete this file before you continue with the steps in this section. To do this using Windows Explorer, go to C:\Windows\Recent, and in the right pane select the Win.ini file and delete it. It will be regenerated as a copy of the file you are to edit, when you save your changes to that particular file.
- Click Start, and then click Run.
- Type the following, and then click OK.
edit c:\windows\win.ini
(The MS-DOS Editor opens.)
NOTE: If Windows is installed in a different location, make the appropriate path substitution.
- In the [windows] section of the file, look for an entry similar to:
load=%windir%\<file name of Trojan>
- Select the entire line. Be sure that you have not selected any other text, and then press Delete.
- In the [windows] section of the file, look for a line similar to:
run=%windir%\<file name of Trojan>
- If it exists, select the entire line. Be sure that you do not select any other text, and then press Delete.
- Click File, and then click Save.
- Click File, and then click Exit.
Editing the registry
This is necessary only if you are running Windows NT/2000/XP.
CAUTION: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before you make any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified keys only. Read the document, "
How to make a backup of the Windows registry," for instructions.
- Click Start, and then click Run. (The Run dialog box appears.)
- Type regedit, and then click OK. (The Registry Editor opens.)
- Navigate to the key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
- In the right pane, delete the value:
load %windir%\<file name of Trojan>open=%windir%\<filename>
- Navigate to the key:
HKEY_USER\<User ID>\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
- In the right pane, delete the value:
load %windir%\<file name of Trojan>open=%windir%\<filename>
- Exit the Registry Editor.
Writeup By: Kaoru Hayashi