W32.Changeup!gen44

W32.Changeup!gen44 belongs to a large family of worms that have been active since 2009. Malware in the W32.Changeup!gen44 family has numerous aliases, the most common of which are Vobfus and Changeup. These infections are designed to attack computer systems running the Windows operating system. Although new variants of W32.Changeup!gen44 have been uncovered as late as 2013 (including the W32.Changeup!gen44 variant itself), most versions of W32.Changeup!gen44 infect computer systems running versions of Windows up to Windows Vista and going as far back as Windows 95. W32.Changeup!gen44 will take advantage of a known vulnerability categorized as CVE-2010-2568.

The W32.Changeup!gen44 infection can be avoided by taking certain precautions. First, it is important to avoid files and downloads from unknown sources, such as unsolicited email messages or unknown removable drive. You should use read only mode whenever possible and always disable AutoPlay to prevent files on removable drives from launching automatically. It is also recommended to disable file sharing when not needed and to protect your computer with a strong password and a firewall to control access to your computer. It is also strongly advised to keep your software and operating system fully updated. Apart from your security software, which should be constantly updated so that it will detect the newest malware infections that are released, other software should also be updated. Outdated software often contains vulnerabilities that may be leveraged by criminals to execute malicious code on the victim's computer.

How W32.Changeup!gen44 Attacks Your Computer System

W32.Changeup!gen44 usually spread taking advantage of removable drives. W32.Changeup!gen44 uses a vulnerability in Windows known as Microsoft Windows Shortcut 'LNK' Files Automatic File Execution Vulnerability (BID 41732), which can be patched if you keep your operating system fully updated. W32.Changeup!gen44 may spread through file sharing networks and tries to make copies of itself on all removable drives and shared folders detected on the infected computer, including shared folders for various file sharing applications. W32.Changeup!gen44 has the ability to alter its icons. This means that W32.Changeup!gen44 may disguise its dangerous executable files as harmless text documents or photos, making it more likely that computer users will execute them and allow W32.Changeup!gen44 to spread into their computer and infect other drives and shared folders. Because of this, scan all removable drives with a strong anti-malware program to ensure that they do not contain W32.Changeup!gen44 and other malicious files.