W32.IRCBot.I

W32.IRCBot.I is a backdoor Trojan that uses standard security-violating tactics to allow remote criminals to control your PC via IRC servers. W32.IRCBot.I specializes in attacking Windows platforms and, like many Trojans, launches itself automatically and runs as a background process. Because of this behavior, W32.IRCBot.I may not be very visible, but SpywareRemove.com malware researchers have found that W32.IRCBot.I's capabilities can extend to extremely dangerous attacks, such as enabling DDoS crimes, installing malicious software (including keyloggers, rogue security programs or worms) and sending spam messages. W32.IRCBot.I is particularly closely-linked to other Trojan threats, and any attempt at removing W32.IRCBot.I should involve software that can also find and delete related Trojans.

Getting Infected by W32.IRCBot.I and Its Unhelpful Friends

W32.IRCBot.I was first seen in 2006 and was updated up to 2008. As such, SpywareRemove.com malware researchers have noted that W32.IRCBot.I's infection capabilities are limited to less-modern Windows versions, including Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, Me and XP. Because many of W32.IRCBot.I's primary functions allow W32.IRCBot.I to send spam messages easily, many W32.IRCBot.I Trojans may spread through email, instant message links and other spam-style vectors. This may be coupled with sender spoofing that allows W32.IRCBot.I to look as though it was sent from a friend or other social contact.

As a member of the W32/IRCBot family, W32.IRCBot.I is just one of many variant Trojans that use IRC for their dirty deeds while hiding themselves. SpywareRemove.com malware analysts have noted that W32.IRCBot.I, like many other Trojans, uses a startup entry in the Registry to launch itself, and should be assumed to be active unless steps are taken to deactivate W32.IRCBot.I. Other Trojans that may also be installed by W32.IRCBot.I include Win32/Sdbot, Win32/Rbot, Worm:Win32/Codbot, WinNT/FURootkit, TrojanProxy:Win32/Ranky, TrojanSpy:Win32/Haxspy, TrojanDownloader:Win32/Small and Trojan:Win32/Hooker.

What W32.IRCBot.I Makes Your PC Do Regardless of Your Wishes

SpywareRemove.com malware experts have found that W32.IRCBot.I can be implicated primarily in the following attacks, although other forms of malicious behavior may be caused by remote configuration information:

• W32.IRCBot.I may disable your security software, especially your firewall, or alter your security settings to allow W32.IRCBot.I to contact IRC servers. Firewall exceptions and open ports are two primary signs of such attacks.
• W32.IRCBot.I may use your PC to engage in DDoS attacks and other types of covert crimes. These actions often use up serious amounts of RAM and other system resources, which can degrade your computer's overall performance.
• As noted earlier, W32.IRCBot.I may install other harmful programs, including common malware such as rogue security programs, spyware, dropper Trojans. The Trojans noted earlier are likely to be involved in a W32.IRCBot.I attack, and are often capable of installing unwanted software of their own.
• W32.IRCBot.I will make serious changes to your Registry and other system components. This complicates the process of deleting W32.IRCBot.I, since removing W32.IRCBot.I's files will not remove other system changes, but a suitably-powerful anti-malware application can revert all such changes while deleting W32.IRCBot.I.

Technical Details