Home Malware Programs Backdoors Troj/Backdr-HN

Troj/Backdr-HN

Posted: October 12, 2012

Threat Metric

Threat Level: 8/10
Infected PCs: 162
First Seen: October 12, 2012
Last Seen: June 28, 2023
OS(es) Affected: Windows

Troj/Backdr-HN is a backdoor Trojan that allows criminals to access your computer in a high level and use it for a variety of malicious purposes. SpywareRemove.com malware researchers have analyzed current propagation tactics for Troj/Backdr-HN, which use spam e-mail messages that are designed to look like automated Skype account notifications. The primary difference between these e-mails and a legitimate notification is the inclusion of an installer for Troj/Backdr-HN as a file attachment. Naturally, suspicious file attachments always should be scanned by anti-malware software before you launch them, and it's recommended that you consider Troj/Backdr-HN a high security risk to be removed hastily if your computer has been infected.

Troj/Backdr-HN and the Trojan Installation Attack That's a Marvel of Multilayered Social Engineering

Like many PC threats, Troj/Backdr-HN uses e-mail messages as its favored method of travel from one computer to the next one. E-mails that transport Troj/Backdr-HN Trojans are formatted to look like password change notifications from Skype – although current templates include minor typos. Interestingly enough, Troj/Backdr-HN's e-mails also include links to the actual Skype website, instead of to a fake site that would install Troj/Backdr-HN. SpywareRemove.com malware researchers found the real payload included in a ZIP-compressed file attachment that, once launched, installs Troj/Backdr-HN.

This delivery method is particularly ingenious due to playing off of the fears of PC uses that their accounts could be compromised. Since unauthorized password changes often are symptomatic of account-related attacks, victims may panic and open the file attachment without stopping to think about how safe it is. This, ironically, lets Troj/Backdr-HN get into your computer by playing off of the fears of other PC threats. Of course, SpywareRemove.com malware researchers note that Skype never will send file attachments through e-mail due to the security risks that are posed, so you should feel free to delete any e-mail notices that match this description.

From Safe to Out of Control, in the Time it Takes to Open a File Attachment

At this time, Troj/Backdr-HN isn't distributed very heavily, but that may change in the future, particularly since Troj/Backdr-HN was only detected recently and may be undetectable by outdated security programs. SpywareRemove.com malware experts classify Troj/Backdr-HN as a high-level threat because of Troj/Backdr-HN's propensity for opening backdoors on the affected PCs. Backdoor vulnerabilities allow criminals to access your computer and can be used in attacks like the following:

  • Troj/Backdr-HN may be instructed to download other forms of malware onto your computer. Similar Trojans often cooperate with browser hijackers, spyware and rootkits that they install.
  • Security features or even entire programs may be disabled. In many cases, these attacks exploit specific system components that don't show visible evidence of these changes during the course of normal PC usage.
  • Confidential information also may be stolen through varied means; phishing-related web page injection and keylogging are two popular examples of such attacks.

SpywareRemove.com malware research team recommends that you treat your PC (and information on it) as compromised until you can delete Troj/Backdr-HN with your anti-malware software.

Technical Details

File System Modifications

Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.

The following files were created in the system:



Skype_Password_insctructions.zip File name: Skype_Password_insctructions.zip
Mime Type: unknown/zip
Group: Malware file
Skype_Password_inscructions.pdf.exe File name: Skype_Password_inscructions.pdf.exe
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
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