[nabs-l] Windows 7 "compatibility Checker' Is a Trojan

[H. Field]

For your information
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Accessible Devices" <parker2745 at accessible-devices.com>
To: "Accessible Devices List" <A-d at accessible-devices.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 9:14 AM
Subject: Accessible Devices Windows 7 "compatibility Checker' Is a 
Trojan


Scammers are infecting computers with a Trojan horse program disguised 
as software
that determines whether PCs are compatible with Windows 7.
The attack was first spotted by BitDefender on Sunday and is not yet 
widespread;
the antivirus vendor is receiving reports of about three installs per 
hour from its
users in the U.S. But because the scam is novel, it could end up 
infecting a lot
of people, according to Catalin Cosoi, the head of BitDefender's 
Online Threats Lab.
"This actually works because of the interest in Windows 7," he said.
The scammers steal their marketing text directly from Microsoft, which 
offers a legitimate
in its Web site.
"Find out if your PC can run Windows 7," the e-mails read, echoing 
Microsoft's Web
page. "This software scans your PC for potential issues with your 
hardware, devices,
and installed programs, and recommends what to do before you upgrade."
Users who try to install the attached, zipped file end up with a 
back-door Trojan
horse program on their computer. BitDefender identifies the program as 
Trojan.Generic.3783603,
the same one that's being used in a campaign.
Once a victim has installed the software, criminals can pretty much do 
whatever they
want on the PC, Cosoi said. That could mean installing a keylogger to 
steal banking
credentials or even gaining full access to the hacked system.
Cosoi guesses that a few thousand people have been infected by the 
Trojan to date,
but that number will probably grow rapidly as more victims are taken 
in by the latest
scam.
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