Troj/Agent-ZGD

Posted: December 11, 2012

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	9/10
Infected PCs:	21

First Seen:	December 11, 2012
Last Seen:	November 28, 2024
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

Troj/Agent-ZGD is a backdoor Trojan that's designed to compromise your PC (either for C&C server-based attacks, the installation of other malware, or both). Currently-gathered information about Troj/Agent-ZGD has resulted in SpywareRemove.com malware experts confirming spam e-mail messages as Troj/Agent-ZGD's major infection vector, with the e-mail messages in question posing as complaints from the Better Business Bureau. As long as you delete these e-mails without opening their attachments, your PC is likely to be safe from Troj/Agent-ZGD. However, if you've recently opened a file attachment from an unusual source like the one described here, your PC may be infected by Troj/Agent-ZGD, a symptomless PC threat with intentions for systematically circumventing your computer's security. Anti-malware software should be used to remove Troj/Agent-ZGD and similar PC threats whenever applicable.

When Better Business Turns into Worse Computing with a Nudge from Troj/Agent-ZGD

E-mail messages that distribute Troj/Agent-ZGD are disguised as complaint letters from the BBB, an organization that's noted for its ranking and membership systems for identifying reputable businesses and sorting them from disreputable ones. Current templates for Troj/Agent-ZGD-carrying e-mails include vague messages with sharp deadlines and threats for inaction – a common tactic for malware distributors – that request that you open their file attachments if you don't want a poor report from the BBB to befall your company.

Of course, the actual BBB wouldn't request that you open a file attachment so arbitrarily, and the file attachment actually contains an installer for Troj/Agent-ZGD, a backdoor Trojan. SpywareRemove.com malware research team feels it worth mentioning that this particular method of malware distribution, via fake BBB notifications, has also been used to distribute other Trojans, such as Troj/Bredo-RK, Mal/BredoZp-B and Troj/Zbot-BUS, all of which are high-level threats to your computer's safety (just like Troj/Agent-ZGD).

The Problems that Await After You Open Troj/Agent-ZGD's Invitation to Infect Your PC

Like any self-respecting backdoor Trojan, Troj/Agent-ZGD is used to disable basic security features and allow criminals to access your PC through a Command & Control server. From this server, Troj/Agent-ZGD may be updated, configured to launch other attacks, be used to transfer your personal information (such as account passwords) or be used to download and install other forms of malicious software. There are no typical symptoms that are associated with backdoor Trojans like Troj/Agent-ZGD – although SpywareRemove.com malware experts note that their activities may sometimes be detectable due to minor changes such as unauthorized network port activity, changes in your firewall or unusual usage of your PC's system resources.

Since Troj/Agent-ZGD is a high-level threat that may install any number of other PC threats, SpywareRemove.com malware analysts recommend that you use prompt anti-malware strategies to deal with any potential Troj/Agent-ZGD infection. Competent anti-malware programs should be able to delete Troj/Agent-ZGD safely, although Troj/Agent-ZGD will avoid displaying itself as a normal program that could be removed via the Control Panel or other standard methods.

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:

file.exe

File name: file.exe
Size: 454.76 KB (454762 bytes)
MD5: f406fb02a6c83d619384af399c5bf9db
Detection count: 81
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: March 6, 2013

More files

Additional Information

The following messages's were detected:

#	Message
1	Owner/Manager The Better Business Bureau has received the above-referenced complaint from one of your customers regarding their dealings with you. The details of the consumer's concern are included on the reverse. Please review this matter and advise us of your position. As a neutral third party, the Better Business Bureau can help to resolve the matter. Often complaints are a result of misunderstandings a company wants to know about and correct. In the interest of time and good customer relations, please provide the BBB with written verification of your position in this matter by December 11, 2012. Your prompt response will allow BBB to be of service to you and your customer in reaching a mutually agreeable resolution. Please inform us if you have contacted your customer directly and already resolved this matter. The Better Business Bureau develops and maintains Reliability Reports on companies across the United States and Canada . This information is available to the public and is frequently used by potential customers. Your cooperation in responding to this complaint becomes a permanent part of your file with the Better Business Bureau. Failure to promptly give attention to this matter may be reflected in the report we give to consumers about your company. We encourage you to print this complaint (attached file), answer the questions and respond to us. We look forward to your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely, The Better Business Bureau Complaint Department

Message

Owner/Manager
The Better Business Bureau has received the above-referenced complaint from one of your customers regarding their dealings with you. The details of the consumer's concern are included on the reverse. Please review this matter and advise us of your position.
As a neutral third party, the Better Business Bureau can help to resolve the matter. Often complaints are a result of misunderstandings a company wants to know about and correct.
In the interest of time and good customer relations, please provide the BBB with written verification of your position in this matter by December 11, 2012. Your prompt response will allow BBB to be of service to you and your customer in reaching a mutually agreeable resolution. Please inform us if you have contacted your customer directly and already resolved this matter.
The Better Business Bureau develops and maintains Reliability Reports on companies across the United States and Canada . This information is available to the public and is frequently used by potential customers. Your cooperation in responding to this complaint becomes a permanent part of your file with the Better Business Bureau. Failure to promptly give attention to this matter may be reflected in the report we give to consumers about your company.
We encourage you to print this complaint (attached file), answer the questions and respond to us.
We look forward to your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
The Better Business Bureau Complaint Department