W32.Ackpra.A
W32.Ackpra.A is a computer worm that may fetch additional malicious files from a remote server and execute on compromised system. Typically, W32.Ackpra.A spreads by creating a duplicate of itself on all removable drives and unsecured network shares.
Alias: Trojan.Win32.Qhost.kng, Spy-Agent.dy, Mal/Behav-316, Trojan.Win32.Qhost, Win-Trojan/Agent.185360.B
Damage Level: Medium
Systems Affected: Windows 9x, 2000, XP, Windows Vista
Characteristics
W32.Ackpra.A usually targets root directory of all drives and System folders of the infected machine. In fact, this worm will drop HDM.exe to the root of any found drives. To run this executable file when the drive is accessed, W32.Ackpra.A also drops the file Autorun.Inf. This will take advantage of the functionally of Windows to run any program when viewing contents of the drive.
This worm also alters settings on Windows registry to disallow Safe Mode boot-up options. The intention is primarily to prevent manual removal of W32.Ackpra.A from the infected computer.
Distribution
The worm spreads locally to other computer through unsecured network configurations. It makes a copy of malicious codes on any shared resources within a network. Additionally, it also takes advantages of inadequate security measures from removable drives to propagate itself and infect a system. Infection originating from this worm can lead to other unanticipated malware infection.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\"calc.exe" = "%System%\calc.exe" HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify\Winlogon\"DllName" = "%System%\winlogon.dll"Associated Files and Folders:
%DriveLetter%\HDM.exe %DriveLetter%\autorun.inf %System%\calc.exe %System%\winlogon.dll C:\EnumHost.txt C:\EnumHostWw.txt C:\RESSDT.sys
How to Remove W32.Ackpra.A
1. Temporarily Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP). [how to]
2. Open your antivirus application and update the virus definition file. This method ensures that your antivirus program can detect even newer variants of W32.Ackpra.A
3. Start Windows in Safe Mode with Networking.
- From a power-off state, turn on the computer and press F8 on your keyboard repeatedly.
- Your computer will display Windows Advanced Boot Options menu. Please select Safe Mode with Networking.
- The system will now boot Windows and loads only necessary drivers and files.
4. Open your antivirus program and run a full system scan. After the scan, delete all infected items. If unable, better place them in quarantine. Once the scan is complete, please proceed with the next step.
Online Virus Scanner:
Another way to remove W32.Ackpra.A without the need to install additional antivirus application is to perform a thorough scan with free online virus scanner that can be found on websites of legitimate anti-virus and security provider.
5. Go to Online Virus Scanner list and run a virus scan. This may require plug-ins, add-on or Activex object, please install if you want to proceed with scan.
6. After completing the necessary download, your system is now ready for online virus scanning.
7. Select an option in which you can thoroughly scan the computer to make sure that it will find and delete entirely all infections not detected on previous scan.
8. Remove or delete all detected items.
9. When scanning is finished you may now restart the computer in normal mode.