VIRUS: Spybot-R targets file-sharers

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 14 Oct 2003 at 17:11

Sophos has warned of a worm that has been discovered infecting machines using peer-to-peer networks.

Spybot-R uses the KaZaA peer-to-peer file-sharing network to spread by masquerading as key-generating programs for popular games and software applications.

If a user downloads one of these files off the network, when run, it will display a fake error message and create a folder into which it places copies of itself, again using filenames such as Windows XP Professional Keygen by CaFo.exe.

It also makes a number of Registry edits to ensure that the files are shared and that the worm runs itself each time the computer is restarted.

Spybot-R also opens a back door to an infected machine through IRC channels, whereby an attacker could gain remote control of the computer. It also contains key-logging capabilities that could record your passwords and credit card details when typed.

Spybot-R has aliases Spybot.Worm and Worm.P2P.SpyBot.gen.