Remove SecurityRisk.First4DRM, Sony Rootkit

First4DRM, also known as SecurityRisk.First4DRM is an online threat classified as a rootkit. It was first published back in 2007 by First 4 Internet Ltd., but apparently has been exploited for malicious intentions.The rootkit is designed to hide particular processes, files, folders, and registry subkeys that begin with the $sys$ string. The rootkit was originally designed to conceal a legitimate application, but it can be employed to hide various objects, malware included.

First 4 Internet Ltd. Company, Fortium Technologies Ltd. Description

First 4 Internet Ltd. is a British company that changed its name to Fortium Technologies Ltd in 2006. Fortium Technologies is best known as the publisher of Extended Copy Protection (XCP).

XCP is a software package that fits the description of a copy protection or digital rights management (DRM) scheme for Compact Discs (CDs). Sony BMG used the DRM on some of its CDs. The software was later dubbed the Sony rootkit due to the scandal that emerged in 2005.

First4DRM, SecurityRisk.First4DRM Threat Evaluation

According to security research, the First4DRM rootkit affects the following systems:

→Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP

Despite the fact that First4DRM was published as legitimate software, it has brought a lot of scandalous attention. Because of the ways it is distributed onto user computers, First4DRM has been accepted as malicious by both users and security specialists.

In a nutshell, the rootkit is installed by anti-piracy protection software bundled with numerous audio CDs published by Sony BMG. Its purpose is to hide the files and entries that come with the anti-copy system in question. The problem is some malware pieces can take advantage of the rootkit and its capability to hide and remain unnoticed. Hence, many anti-malware solutions and independent researchers have concluded that the impact of the rootkit is quite massive.

More Sony-related Security News

How Can I Remove First4DRM from my PC?

The good news is the so-called Sony rootkit can be deleted manually from the PC by deleting the following registry entry:

→CODE HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServices$sys$aries

The file aries.sys will have to be removed, as well as these two directories:

→CODE

C:WindowsSystem32$sys$filesystem

CODE

C:WinntSystem32$sys$filesystem

Once this is done, consider performing a full system scan to make sure that your PC is running faultlessly and malware-free.

Finally, we would also like to remind you what a rootkit is in the context of malware. A rootkit is a collection of malicious software developed to grant access to computers or parts of their software. Such access is usually not allowed, especially to unauthorized users. Once the rootkit is on the system, it will hide its existence and the residence of malevolent progtams.

Spy Hunter scanner will only detect the threat. If you want the threat to be automatically removed, you need to purchase the full version of the anti-malware tool.Find Out More About SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool / How to Uninstall SpyHunter

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Preparation before removing SecurityRisk.First4DRM.

Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.

• Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
• Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
• Be patient as this could take a while.

• Scan for Malware
• Fix Registries
• Remove Virus Files

Step 1: Scan for SecurityRisk.First4DRM with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

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It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

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2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

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3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

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4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Step 2: Clean any registries, created by SecurityRisk.First4DRM on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by SecurityRisk.First4DRM there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

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1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

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2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

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3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it. Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

Step 3: Find virus files created by SecurityRisk.First4DRM on your PC.

1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

1: On your keyboard press  + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.

2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:

1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

SecurityRisk.First4DRM FAQ

What Does SecurityRisk.First4DRM Trojan Do?

The SecurityRisk.First4DRM Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.

Can Trojans Steal Passwords?

Yes, Trojans, like SecurityRisk.First4DRM, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.

Can SecurityRisk.First4DRM Trojan Hide Itself?

Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.

Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?

Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind that there are more sophisticated Trojans that leave backdoors and reinfect even after a factory reset.

Can SecurityRisk.First4DRM Trojan Infect WiFi?

Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.

Can Trojans Be Deleted?

Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.

Can Trojans Steal Files?

Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.

Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?

Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.

Can Trojans Infect USB?

Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.

About the SecurityRisk.First4DRM Research

The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SecurityRisk.First4DRM how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.

How did we conduct the research on SecurityRisk.First4DRM?

Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)

Furthermore, the research behind the SecurityRisk.First4DRM threat is backed with VirusTotal.

To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.