A new virus threatens Windows users

A new kind of computer virus that can steal personal information like password details of online bank accounts is reported to have infected over 5,000 computers, mostly in Europe, according to BBC news online. This malware gets uploaded into the system using the security loopholes of Microsoft IE when the users land in certain websites which spread this dangerous virus that cleverly resides in deep areas of Windows directory structure.

This virus, known as rootkit, first infects Master Boot Record (MBR) and takes control of the operating system. The greater danger lies in the ability of virus to download similar types of malware into the PC and finally they proceed to steal the log in details of online bank account details once the user logs into any of the online banks.

iDefense Security firm announced that over 5000 systems were infected by this kind of dangerous virus in December, 2007. It was also found that the virus uses a hidden area of MBR to reside so that it can reinstall other malicious virus even after the diagnosis and cleansing by anti virus tool.

At present, there are few antivirus programs that can detect these malicious programs and remove them. The Mebroot which causes replication of this hacking virus in the systems can be removed when a PC is running.

It seems most PCs which use Windows versions can be prone to this virus infection if they are not adequately protected.

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