Vista 'crack' installs Trojan

Crime does not pay...

Cheeky software downloaders hoping to get a free version of Windows Vista are getting more than they bargained for - a password-stealing Trojan.

Security researchers Sunbelt Software have confirmed that the Trojan is contained in a program called "windows vista all versions activation 21.11.06.exe", which has been circulating on message boards, according to a report.

Windows Vista 'crack' installs Trojan

The program claims to be a "crack" designed to unlock pirated copies of Vista, which was made available to Microsoft's volume licensing customers last week.

It in fact installs malware known as Trojan-PSW.Win32.LdPinch.aze, which attempts to steal passwords and send them back to an attacker, according to security researchers Kaspersky, which first noted the Trojan in early October.

Users who have come into contact with the supposed crack have reportedly found that Norton Antivirus and Eset's NOD32 failed to detect the Trojan, though other anti-virus programs did stop infections from occurring.

Microsoft has said it expects Vista to see the fastest adoption of any operating system it has ever launched. Most analysts have taken a more cautious line, with many businesses saying they'll wait for up to two years before planning an upgrade.


What are your views on this subject? Use the form below to post a comment on this article up to 500 characters.


Characters remaining: 500

Add your commentComments

Joe | Published: 15:49 GMT, 23 April 2008

Hi you need a firewall and a virus remover that handles hackers all in one if you search the web it tells you if that site is good. stops people attacking your computer just finds the virus and eat its up to small bits and and reports this site virus alert, and must be 3 computers are more support in $85.00 range for 2 years or one computer for $100.00 3 years with firewall support.

Related Security news

Microsoft denies building security 'backdoor' in Windows 7

Privacy organisations shouldn't read too much into NSA involvement it says

Pentagon expands exclusive deal with McAfee

Department of Defense uses McAfee products

Police arrest pair over global banking web scam

Man and woman arrested in Manchester for using notorious Zeus Trojan

Security star Fortinet sets price for IPO

Investors still have taste for tech.



Email this article to a friend or colleague:


PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story, and in case of transmission error. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.

Techworld White Papers

Database security: Preventing enterprise data leaks at the source

IDC discusses the growing internal threats to business information, the impact of government regulations on the protection of data, and how enterprises must adopt database security best practices...

Download Whitepaper

Service-oriented security

SOA has become an integral part of enterprise software by providing a framework to efficiently develop software as services that is easily sharable, reusable, and integrated. No where is the need more apparent than in the Identity Management space. Welcome to the age of Service-Oriented Security (SOS).

Download Whitepaper

Data protection prospective vendor checklist

Organisations need a way to map business needs against all these challenges in procuring a technical solution. To help, SANS has developed the following Prospective Vendor Checklist.

Download Whitepaper

Unlock the power of the mainframe

This whitepaper presents the notion of CICS as an integration hub based on a component-based, service-oriented architecture supporting Web services. Highlights will review the challenges and contrasted support for Web services natively in CICS.

Download Whitepaper

Techworld UK - Technology - Business

COLT White Paper

Are all VoIP services the same?

Questions to ask your service provider to ensure you get the VoIP service you need
With careful choice of partner, your business can have all the advantages of VoIP access - reduced costs, flexibility and simplicity - without the drawbacks.
This white paper is your guide to ensure you get right the VoIP service and details the pitfalls which businesses would do well to avoid.

Download white paper
BMC

Ride the express lane in the journey to speed ITIL adoption

Explore the challenges in making the journey to ITIL and the criteria for selecting consulting services
By following ITIL practices, your IT organisation will become more closely integrated with the business. We recommend making the journey to ITIL in a sequence of six incremental steps, the phases of which are driven through execution of a strategic transformational roadmap.

Download white paper

Webcast: IT Financial Management: Cost Optimisation for Efficiency and Agility.
On Demand Webcast
Join this webcast to learn about the techniques and technologies that can help you prove the value of IT to the business by understanding the true cost of today's IT services and those that will be necessary to deliver future success.

Register Today

Site Map

IDG Network

* *