You are here  Software Security Software
| More

Screensaver hides Trojan, says Sophos

Ian Grant
Monday 30 July 2007 04:18

Security software firmSophossays a screensaver now being spread via an email spam campaign actually installs two rootkits and a Trojan horse on Windows PCs.

The e-mails suggest the user has received a screensaver from a friend and tells them to open an attachment called bsaver.zip.

Sophos said the spam reads "Good morning/evening, man! Realy cool screensaver in your attachment!", while the e-mails' subject lines read:

• Life is beautiful

• Life will be better

• Good summer

• Help you

Sophos said clicking on the file contained inside the Zip attachment infects users with the Agent-FZB Trojan horse, which drops two rootkits to disguise it from security software.

" Rootkits are frequently deployed by hackers to hide other software and processes and use advanced stealth techniques," said Sophos' Graham Cluley.

"Hackers use rootkit technology to maintain access to a compromised computer without the user's knowledge, so it is important to be properly defended against this sort of threat."

Sophos is offering a free download of its Anti-Rootkit program.

File infectors top malware charts >>

Web is biggest threat, says Sophos >>

Comment on this article: computer.weekly@rbi.co.uk