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Windows virus warning issued
Monday 14th January 2008, by Daniel King
Broadband users are being warned to be aware of a Windows virus that has the capability to steal login bank account details.
The virus hides deep inside Windows software, making it difficult to detect, and then overwrites the computer's hard drive.
Security company Symantec has dubbed the Trojan virus Mebroot and estimates that it has infected 5,000 PCs.
Writing on the Symantec blog, Elia Florio explained that the key is in controlling the Master Boot Record (MBR), where the computer looks to boot up the operating system.
"Basically, if you can control the MBR, you can control the operating system and therefore the computer it resides on," explained researcher Florio.
The importance of anti-virus software for broadband users is emphasised by Symantec, although Mebroot cannot be detected by security software and cannot be removed while the computer is running.
The company's January State of Spam report showed that by the end of 2007, spam email accounted for 75 per cent of all email.
Categories: Broadband, Internet Security
