Trojan.Zeroaccess.C

Trojan.Zeroaccess.C is an alternative of the ZeroAccess rootkit, also known as Max++ or Sirefef, that uses file-downloading attacks to install other PC threats, along with potentially stealing confidential information, altering web browser pages and infecting native Windows files. Because Trojan.Zeroaccess.C, like all variants of Sirefef, is a high-level threat that will attempt to avoid your attention while Trojan.Zeroaccess.C circumvents your PC security, SpywareRemove.com malware experts recommend that you trust anti-malware products to detect and delete Trojan.Zeroaccess.C when necessary. Notable casualties of a Trojan.Zeroaccess.C infection that isn't removed with sufficient alacrity include logins for e-mail accounts and bank accounts, as well as compromised web-browsing safety. Other than the relatively minor file changes that are required for Trojan.Zeroaccess.C to function, Trojan.Zeroaccess.C doesn't show symptoms of its attacks, despite their danger.

Trojan.Zeroaccess.C: Shedding Old Tricks for New Ones

Trojan.Zeroaccess.C is an innovative and somewhat risky update for ZeroAccess, in that Trojan.Zeroaccess.C abandons traditional rootkit-based attacks in lieu of a new NT File System exploit. This exploit uses the Extended Attributes feature of that file system to patch malicious code into the Windows services.exe file – permanently. The nature of Trojan.Zeroaccess.C's attack means that the only way to restore services.exe is to use a backup from a clean source (such as a Windows CD or DVD). Fortunately, Windows versions from Vista on up to Windows 7 do include a 'Restore previous versions' feature that will let you roll back to a clean version of a Trojan.Zeroaccess.C-infected file. Services.exe files that are infected by Trojan.Zeroaccess.C may be identified by their own labels such as Trojan.Zeroaccess!inf4.

Scanning files that exploit Extended Attributes maliciously requires some additional coding effort for anti-malware products – hence the purpose of this new feature for Trojan.Zeroaccess.C is an obvious defensive measure to prevent detection. However, many prominent brands of anti-malware programs are capable of detecting PC threats that exploit the EA and other NTFS-related features, and SpywareRemove.com malware researchers still recommend that you use anti-malware software as usual for removing Trojan.Zeroaccess.C as the latest variant of ZeroAccess (no longer a rootkit).

A Survey of All the Functions That Trojan.Zeroaccess.C Hasn't Abandoned

Although Trojan.Zeroaccess.C was quick to drop a function that wasn't working out for Trojan.Zeroaccess.C as intended, other features that are traditionally-observed as part of the ZeroAccess/Sirefef/Max++ package remain intact. SpywareRemove.com malware experts have delineated some of the most central attacks and side effects of Trojan.Zeroaccess.C attacks as follows:

• Loss of account information associated with banks and e-mail accounts due to Trojan.Zeroaccess.C monitoring browser-submitted data with traditional spyware features (keylogging, screen captures, etc).
• Altered web page content. Trojan.Zeroaccess.C may use this to redirect you to hostile sites, phish for additional information or block you from PC security domains.
• Internet connectivity and firewall issues due to Trojan.Zeroaccess.C's backdoor capabilities, which allow unauthorized network traffic. Your data transfer speeds may drop for no obvious reason, and your Internet connection may even be disabled randomly.

Trojan.Zeroaccess.C is limited to attacking Windows PCs, but SpywareRemove.com malware analysts have noted Trojan.Zeroaccess.C's significant expertise within that specialty. Trojan.Zeroaccess.C will install different components for different versions of Windows and is capable of infecting even modern versions of that OS such as Windows 7.

Technical Details