What is the Netsky.U worm?

Netsky.U is a mass-mailing worm and a variant of Netsky.S. This worm also contains backdoor functionality and may perform a Denial of Service (DoS) attack against predetermined Web sites.

Also known as: WORM_Netsky.U, W32/Netsky.U@MM, W32/Netsky.U.worm, Win32.Netsky.U

How Does the Netsky.U Worm Infect My Computer?

1. Copies itself as %Windir%\SymAV.exe.
   
   
2. Creates a mutex, "SyncMutex_USUkUyUnUeUtUU," to allow only one instance of the worm to execute.
   
   
3. Creates the file, %Windir%\fuck_you_bagle.txt, which is a MIME-encoded copy of the worm's executable.
   
   
4. Adds the value:
   
   "SymAV"="%Windir%\SymAV.exe"
   
   to the registry key:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   
   so that the worm runs when you start Windows.
   
   
5. Listens on port 6789. If an attacker sends an executable file to an infected computer, the worm will save it as an executable file with a random file name, and then execute the file.
   
   
6. If the computer's system date is between April 14, 2004 to April 23, 2004, the worm will attempt a DoS attack against the following Web sites:
   
   • www.cracks.am
   • www.emule.de
   • www.kazaa.com
   • www.freemule.net
   • www.keygen.us
     
     
7. Scans drives C through Z (excluding the CD-ROM drives) and retrieves the email addresses from the files with the following extensions:
   
   • .asp
   • .cfg
   • .cgi
   • .dbx
   • .dhtm
   • .doc
   • .eml
   • .htm
   • .html
   • .jsp
   • .mbx
   • .mdx
   • .mht
   • ......
     
     
8. Uses its own SMTP engine to send itself to all the email addresses that it finds.
   
   From: <Spoofed>
   
   Subject: (One of the following)
   
   • Re: Hi
   • Re: Hello
   • Hi
     

Message: (One of the following)

• Oh, I got it!
• To less characters! Take it easy...
• I noticed your password for administrative purpuses.
• ......

Attachments: (One of the following)

• yours_funny
• yours_naked_img
• not_permitted
• ......

How to Remove the Netsky.U Worm?

Kaspersky Internet Security Can Prevent You From Virus and Intrusion. If Kaspersky detects Netsky.U during the scan, it will AUTOMATICALLY offer you the option of deleting it. Do this by following the program's instructions.

Follow these steps in removing the Netsky.U worm.

1. Disabling System Restore (Windows Me/XP)

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles: "How to disable or enable Windows Me/XP System Restore".

2. Terminating the Running Program

1. Open Windows Task Manager.
   On Windows 95/98/ME systems, press
   CTRL+ALT+DELETE
   On Windows NT/2000/XP systems, press
   CTRL+SHIFT+ESC, then click the Processes tab.
2. In the list of running programs*, locate the process:
   SymAV.exe
3. Select the malware process, then press either the End Task or the End Process button, depending on the version of Windows on your system.
4. Do the same for all detected malware files in the list of running processes.
5. To check if the malware process has been terminated, close Task Manager, and then open it again.
6. Close Task Manager.

3. Removing Autostart Entries from the Registry

1. Open Registry Editor. To do this, click Start>Run, type REGEDIT, then press Enter.
2. In the left panel, double-click the following:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>Software>Microsoft>
   Windows>CurrentVersion>Run
3. In the right panel, locate and delete the entry:
   SymAV = "%Windows%\SymAV.exe"
4. Close Registry Editor.

4. Updating the Virus Definitions

If you do not know which anti-virus software can provide strong protection for you, Kaspersky Internet Security is recommended.

5. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Netsky.U.

1. Start your Kaspersky Internet Security and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected as infected with Netsky.U, click Delete.

How to Disinfect My Computer from Worms?

In order to keep your computer protected, bear the following tips in mind:

1. If you have filtering tools installed, configure them to reject messages with the characteristics described above. If, in spite of doing this, you receive the message that contains the virus: do not open it, do not run the attached file and delete it, making sure that you also delete it from the Deleted Items folder.
2. Install a good antivirus in your computer. Select Kaspersky Internet Security to get the Kaspersky antivirus solution that best suits your needs.
3. Keep your antivirus updated. If automatic updates are available, configure your antivirus to use them.
4. Keep your permanent antivirus protection enabled at all times.

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Detect and Removal Instruction for Other Variants: