| Name | Trojan.Vundo |
| Type | Trojan Horse |
| Short Description | The Trojan Horse is designed to generate intrusive advertisements and pop-ups. It can also install a rootkit. |
| Symptoms | Intrusive ads and pop-ups – fake system alerts, rogue software promotions, links to adult content, etc. |
| Distribution Method | Spam emails (via mass-mailing worms) p2p file sharing, drive-by downloads (compromised pages). |
| Detection tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By Trojan.Vundo |
According to security research, the infamous Vundo malware may be active again. Two executable processes have been recently monitored to contain the malicious piece – is154522.exe (reported by HerdProtect) and Install.exe (reported by VirusTotal). Trojan.Vundo, also known as VirtuMonde, VirtuMundo, and MS Juan, is classified as a Trojan horse that downloads files and generates pop-up advertisements. The malware is typically spread through spam email campaigns. Other distribution methods are also not surprising – p2p file sharing and drive-by downloads. Trojan.Vundo may also be dropped by other malware, such as Trojan downloaders and Trojan droppers.
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Trojan.Vundo Technical Resume
Trojan.Vundo has been monitored to drop malicious executables on targeted systems. The names of the files can be bland (such as install.exe), so that the users are tricked into opening and running them.
However, Vundo can be dropped by other malicious software, predominantly by worms. Two mass-mailing worms have been reported to spread the Trojan:
Researchers have concluded that Trojan.Vundo was created for the purpose of displaying advertisements – such as pop-ups. The Trojan can also inject ads into the victim’s search results.
The pop-ups displayed by Trojan.Vundo can be:
- Fake scan alerts made to look like legitimate AV software.
- System errors.
- Pop-ups prompting users to download rogue applications.
- Adult-themed ads and services.
Clicking on the pop-ups generated by Trojan.Vundol will redirect the user to malicious websites. In addition, once the threat is activated, the user can experience difficult accessing certain pages or running an anti-virus program.
WARNING
is154522.exe and Install.exe are the two most recent files, associated directly with Trojan.Mundo.
According to researchers at Symantec, latest Trojan.Vundo types have become more sophisticated with time. Some of them may even include rootkit capabilities or can exploit local vulnerabilities. Moreover, Trojan.Vundo can even have file-encrypting skills and act as ransomware, extorting money from the victim, etc.
Here is a list of heuristic detections of Trojan.Vundo:
→Suspicious.Vundo, Suspicious.Vundo.2, Suspicious.Vundo.5, Packed.Generic.295, Packed.Generic.254, Packed.Generic.324, Packed.Vuntid!gen1, Packed.Vuntid!gen2, Trojan.Vundo.B!inf, Trojan.Vundo!gen1, Trojan.Vundo!gen2, Trojan.Vundo!gen3, Trojan.Vundo!gen5, Trojan.Vundo!gen7, Trojan.Vundo!gen8
Here is a list of detection names by various AV providers:
- DR/Virtumonde.tmj.40 (Avira Antivirus)
- Win32:Akan (Avast)
- MemScan:Trojan.FakeAlert.AJF (BitDefender)
- Trojan.DownLoader.50219 (Dr.Web)
- Win32/Kryptik.AD (variant) (ESET NOD32)
- MemScan:Trojan.FakeAlert.AJF (F-Secure)
- Trojan.Win32.Monder (Kaspersky)
- Artemis!265AC9F5CE3F (McAfee)
- Mal_Vundo-31 (TrendMicro)
Trojan.Vundo Removal Report
The threat and its various examples can be removed automatically by running a powerful anti-spyware tool. Keep in mind that Trojan.Vundo can install a rootkit on the infected system. Removing the rootkit is crucial to restoring the system. You should run AV software that has proven to be effective in detecting and removing rootkits.
Follow closely the removal manual provided below. If you have any questions or difficulties in removing the Trojan, join our security forum. Our team of security experts will be happy to assist you.
Step 1: Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove Trojan.Vundo.
Removing Trojan.Vundo from Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Removing Trojan.Vundo from Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Substep 1:
Open the Start Menu
Substep 2:
Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Substep 3:
After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.
Substep 4:
You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.
Substep 5:
After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Substep 6:
Click on Restart.
Substep 7:
A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart and boot into Safe Mode so you can scan for and remove Trojan.Vundo.
Step 2: Remove Trojan.Vundo automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.
To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all Trojan.Vundo associated objects.
