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Windows-based stealth virus causes alarm

PC users are being warned about a virus which embeds itself deep within Window and steals your passwords for bank accounts while remaining hidden, it has been revealed. The last month alone has seen the malicious program snaring around 5,000 victims - most residing in Europe.


Compromised websites put users at risk with the virus that buries itself in the system to avoid detection and awakes when services such as online banking are logged into.

The program is a type of virus known as a rootkit which overwrites part of a computer's hard drive called the Master Boot Record (MBR) which is where a computer automatically scans when it is switched on for information about the operating system it runs.

"If you can control the MBR, you can control the operating system and therefore the computer it resides on," wrote Elia Florio on security company Symantec's blog.

All Windows users are under risk but independent security firm GMER has produced a utility that will scan and remove the stealthy program.

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<a href="http://www.pulsewebhosting.com/news/windows-based-stealth-virus-causes-alarm/168/" title="Windows-based stealth virus causes alarm">Windows-based stealth virus causes alarm</a> Published Date: 2008-01-14 11:36:54

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