Win32.ZAccess.m

Posted: September 4, 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.

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% 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:	9

First Seen:	September 4, 2012
Last Seen:	July 14, 2020
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

Win32.ZAccess.m is an alert for Windows system files that have been infected by ZeroAccess (AKA Sirefef or Max++) rootkits and Trojans. These attacks target specific Windows files and insert code for ZeroAccess to launch automatically as part of your operating system's processes, and SpywareRemove.com malware experts haven't seen any cases of Win32.ZAccess.m or related PC threats infected benign nonsystem files. Win32.ZAccess.m usually is related to launching or protecting other parts of a multi-component ZeroAccess infection, which can, themselves, launch severe attacks such as inserting phishing attacks into bank web pages or monitoring keyboard input (keylogging). Since Win32.ZAccess.m infects vital system files and is just one of several PC threats in any one ZeroAccess infection, you should delete Win32.ZAccess.m with a top-of-the-line anti-malware program and scan the rest of your PC to uncover the rest of ZeroAccess's files.

Win32.ZAccess.m: the Innocuous Windows Component with a Lot Going On Behind the Scenes

Other ZeroAccess components (such as Trojan droppers that specialize in installing ZeroAccess rootkits) install Win32.ZAccess.m by inserting its code into services.exe, the Windows file that controls the startup and cessation of services. From that location, Win32.ZAccess.m is used to launch other ZeroAccess components, while the Trojan dropper usually deletes itself to avoid detection. Win32.ZAccess.m may also shut down services that Win32.ZAccess.m considers a threat to itself such as anti-virus scanners and other PC security tools.

Other PC threats related to ZeroAccess infections usually use similar methods to conceal themselves – for example, by having their code injected into a web browser's process. As a result, SpywareRemove.com malware researchers discourage attempts to delete Win32.ZAccess.m and other ZeroAccess-based infections without anti-malware products or, at least, assistance from PC security experts. Deleting the infected files will damage your OS and may cause Windows to be unable to boot until you repair it with its factory CD/DVD.

What Win32.ZAccess.m Gives a Helping Hand in Creating

Win32.ZAccess.m isn't designed for functions other than the ones described above. However, SpywareRemove.com malware analysts have found a whole host of other attacks in closely-related PC threats from the ZeroAccess family. Other components of ZeroAccess that are launched by Win32.ZAccess.m can result in attacks that include:

Changing your online search results to display advertisements or unrelated sites.
Disabling security features such as Internet Explorer's security zones.
Monitoring keyboard input, screen activity (via screenshots), browser activities and text form fields to steal personal information. Account passwords and user names are especially likely to be compromised by PC threats linked to Win32.ZAccess.m.

SpywareRemove.com malware researchers have found many aliases for Win32.ZAccess.m, which is a well-defined threat that many PC security companies have identified and defined in their threat databases. Win32.ZAccess.m's prominent aliases include ZeroAccess.ds.gen.c, Trojan.Zeroaccess!inf4, PTCH_ZACCESS.A and Virus:Win32/Sirefef.R.

Win32.ZAccess.m

Threat Metric

Win32.ZAccess.m: the Innocuous Windows Component with a Lot Going On Behind the Scenes

What Win32.ZAccess.m Gives a Helping Hand in Creating

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