backdoor.trojan questions

schnub · 06-02-2008, 11:30 PM

So I recently came under attack from a backdoor.trojan, and had to pay the company that runs my antivirus program (Symantec) $100 to fix it. (Maybe to some this might not seem like much, but I'm still a student, without a job) I'm not really sure how I got it, but I have a strong suspicion it might be from downloading a video file, but I'm not sure. To tell the truth, I use bittorrent, and it's from this that I think I might have gotten it. But to be sure, is it actually possible to get this virus from downloading files? If not, then how exactly does it get onto a computer? Also, I read some articles about how it gives the attacker access to your computer, but what I want to know is how exactly does it work, is it only when your computer is on that the attacker is able to look through your private files, history, etc. or is it once you have the virus, does it make a copy of all the things on your computer for the attacker to look through? Lastly, was there some easier/cheaper way to take care of it? I was talking to a live assistant over at Symantec, and they just said the best option is to let them take care of it since they have to deal with the computer's registry keys or something, but that could've been just a ploy to make money. I'm really not computer-literate, if you haven't guess already, so your help would be appreciated, especially if it's not too cluttered with technical jargon.

**TheBruce1** · 06-03-2008, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnub

So I recently came under attack from a backdoor.trojan, and had to pay the company that runs my antivirus program (Symantec) $100 to fix it. (Maybe to some this might not seem like much, but I'm still a student, without a job)

That is a lot of money in anyone`s language.

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnub

I'm not really sure how I got it, but I have a strong suspicion it might be from downloading a video file, but I'm not sure. To tell the truth, I use bittorrent, and it's from this that I think I might have gotten it. But to be sure, is it actually possible to get this virus from downloading files?

Whilst some P2P programs are safe, the source you are downloading from may not, many users become infected this way, you have to be sure that who you are downloading from is trustworthy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by schnub

f not, then how exactly does it get onto a computer? Also, I read some articles about how it gives the attacker access to your computer, but what I want to know is how exactly does it work, is it only when your computer is on that the attacker is able to look through your private files, history, etc. or is it once you have the virus, does it make a copy of all the things on your computer for the attacker to look through? Lastly, was there some easier/cheaper way to take care of it? I was talking to a live assistant over at Symantec, and they just said the best option is to let them take care of it since they have to deal with the computer's registry keys or something, but that could've been just a ploy to make money. I'm really not computer-literate, if you haven't guess already, so your help would be appreciated, especially if it's not too cluttered with technical jargon.

This article should help you better understand what are backdoor trojans.

Quote:

Is your system infected with a backdoor trojan, or remote access trojan? Maybe you received a warning from your antivirus, antispyware application, or someone helping you? What is a backdoor trojan, and why should you be concerned?

A trojan is a malicious application that appears to do one thing, but actually does another. Like it’s name sake, the mythical Trojan Horse, malicious code is hidden in a program or file that appears useful, interesting, or harmless. Popular examples are video codecs that some sites require to view online videos. When the codec is installed, it may also install spyware or other malicious software.
http://www.geekstogo.com/2007/10/03/...ckdoor-trojan/

06-02-2008, 11:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
schnub Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 OS: XP	backdoor.trojan questions So I recently came under attack from a backdoor.trojan, and had to pay the company that runs my antivirus program (Symantec) $100 to fix it. (Maybe to some this might not seem like much, but I'm still a student, without a job) I'm not really sure how I got it, but I have a strong suspicion it might be from downloading a video file, but I'm not sure. To tell the truth, I use bittorrent, and it's from this that I think I might have gotten it. But to be sure, is it actually possible to get this virus from downloading files? If not, then how exactly does it get onto a computer? Also, I read some articles about how it gives the attacker access to your computer, but what I want to know is how exactly does it work, is it only when your computer is on that the attacker is able to look through your private files, history, etc. or is it once you have the virus, does it make a copy of all the things on your computer for the attacker to look through? Lastly, was there some easier/cheaper way to take care of it? I was talking to a live assistant over at Symantec, and they just said the best option is to let them take care of it since they have to deal with the computer's registry keys or something, but that could've been just a ploy to make money. I'm really not computer-literate, if you haven't guess already, so your help would be appreciated, especially if it's not too cluttered with technical jargon.