virus - GameOver Zeus and Cryptlocker Viruses

07
2014-07
  • Nathan Taylor

    This question already has an answer here:

    • Answers
  • arielnmz

    I usually look on malware sites for the files they execute or they need to run and just delete them from a linux live USB (one can even edit the windows register from there). Once in windows I run adwcleaner and everything's okay. But only if you're able to find their files. Otherwise you may need other kind of solutions.


    • Related Question

    security - Are executables(.exe) favorite slaves of viruses?
  • Questioner

    Often viruses are attached to an .exe file.

    Are executables main target of viruses so as to cause maximum (rather faster) harm on the destination side?

    Are there any other formats of files or any other ways which are equally or more harmful than executables?

    (I am using the term "virus" in a generic manner)


    • Related Answers
  • Seasoned Advice (cooking)

    Viruses that attach themselves to executables belong mostly to the past, when viruses were simple and easy to detect.

    Today's viruses are themselves harmful executables, DLLs, BHOs, Java applets or Javascript scripts. The aim is to trick you into executing these at least once (which is one too many), where they take control of your computer.

    They hide in various places, even in the BIOS, which means that even the old and trusted method of reformating the hard disk may not get rid of them.

    One virus is even a complete operating system by itself, so that it takes over the computer and runs your own O/S as a virtual machine. It corrupts the MBR to boot the virus, rather than your system. That means that no tools at your disposition can find even the smallest hint of its presence, and its use of the network card is invisible to your own O/S.

    Today's viruses are the product of organized crime. We no longer have to deal with script kiddies, but rather with organized teams whose budgets may exceed those of law-enforcement agencies. Some estimates put the average banks lose from fraud at 5% of the yearly income. Just try to imagine the enormous sums that are involved and the percentage of this "crime-tax" on the world economy!