Updated variant of the Downadup worm identified in the wild

April 2009 Information Security

Bitdefender researchers in the Antimalware Labs have identified a new variant of the Downadup/Conficker worm, able to circumvent detection and disinfection using the removal tools created for its previous versions.

In addition to blocking access to any website of antivirus vendors, as well as third-parties offering online scanning services or removal tools, the malicious binary has been updated to refuse users access to http://bdtools.net, BitDefender’s online repository for distributing disinfection and removal tools.

The updated disinfection tools are now available online at www.disinfecttools.com, a domain that is not currently blacklisted on the compromised machines.

"Since the new variant blocks bdtools.net the new recommended domain name is www.disinfecttools.com ( from our preliminary analysis this is not blocked by the malware ),” said Viorel Canja, head of the BitDefender Labs.

All the BitDefender 2009 products detect the worm as Win32.Worm.Downadup.Gen and stop its execution before it is able to perform changes on the system. In order to stay safe while surfing the Web, BitDefender recommends that you install a complete and up-to-date anti-malware software solution.

About BitDefender:

BitDefender is the creator of one of the industry's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified security software. Since its inception in 2001, BitDefender has continued to raise the bar and set new standards in proactive threat prevention. Every day, BitDefender protects tens of millions of home and corporate users across the globe - giving them the peace of mind of knowing that their digital experiences will be secure. BitDefender solutions are distributed by a global network of value-added distribution and reseller partners in more than 100 countries worldwide. More information about BitDefender and its products are available at the company’s security solutions press room. Additionally, BitDefender’s www.malwarecity.com provides background and the latest updates on security threats helping users stay informed in the everyday battle against malware.

Share this article:

Phishing attacks through SVG image files
Kaspersky News & Events Information Security
Kaspersky has detected a new trend: attackers are distributing phishing emails to individual and corporate users with attachments in SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files, a format commonly used for storing images.

Read more...

Crypto in SA: between progress and precaution
Information Security
“As cryptocurrency gains momentum and legitimacy, it’s becoming increasingly important for people to pay attention to financial security”, says Richard Frost, head of technology and innovation at Armata Cyber Security.

Read more...

Cyber recovery requires a different approach to disaster recovery
Information Security
Disaster recovery is about getting operations back on track after unexpected disruptions; cyber recovery, however, is about calculated actions by bad actors aiming to disrupt your business, steal sensitive data, or hold your system hostage.

Read more...

MDR users claim 97,5% less
Sophos Information Security
The average cyber insurance claim following a significant cyberattack is just $75 000 for MDR users, compared with $3 million for endpoint-only users, according to a new independent study.

Read more...

The impact of GenAI on cybersecurity
Sophos News & Events Information Security
Sophos survey finds that 89% of IT leaders worry GenAI flaws could negatively impact their organisation’s cybersecurity strategies, with 87% of respondents stating they were concerned about a resulting lack of cybersecurity accountability.

Read more...

Efficient, future-proof estate security and management
Technews Publishing ElementC Solutions Duxbury Networking Fang Fences & Guards Secutel Technologies OneSpace Technologies DeepAlert SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice Information Security Security Services & Risk Management Residential Estate (Industry) AI & Data Analytics IoT & Automation
In February this year, SMART Security Solutions travelled to Cape Town to experience the unbelievable experience of a city where potholes are fixed, and traffic lights work; and to host the Cape Town SMART Estate Security Conference 2025.

Read more...

Kaspersky KATA 7.0 for targeted attack protection
Information Security Products & Solutions
] Kaspersky has announced a major update to its Kaspersky Anti Targeted Attack (KATA) including enhanced network detection and response (NDR) capabilities with deeper network visibility, internal threats detection and other critical security features.

Read more...

The role of advanced technologies in ransomware recovery
Information Security
As businesses increasingly adopt cloud technologies, the complexities of maintaining resilience and ensuring rapid recovery from such incidents become even more pronounced. The integration of advanced technologies is essential to navigate these challenges effectively.

Read more...

Categories

Updated variant of the Downadup worm identified in the wild

Further reading:

Published by Technews