Gaming Trojan farce

[Ace Gunman]

So, I did an obligatory virus/malware scan, which I've been doing since my previous virus scare. And low and behold, I find a trojan. Not much of a trojan, mind you, and it was taken out swiftly and with ease, but a trojan nonetheless. So I suppose my question is how is this possible?

I'm running Firefox 3 with its built-in fishing and malware dealies, running the ad-block and flashblock extensions, 3rd party cookies turned off, and not frequenting sites of ill-repute. I'm also running Spybot: Search & Destroy and Spyware Blaster to block negative cookies and websites/etc. Plus ZoneAlarm for the inbound/outbound access (with nothing allowed that shouldn't be).

I have Avast running on full protection, it's literally deep-scanning every file I touch on a second by second basis. While SpywareGuard, BoClean, and TeaTimer run by its side (and they're fully compatible when running together). All of them have been fully updated. And I haven't been downloading many files outside of safe program updates.

How could it slip through those defenses? And/or what else could I be doing?

 

[AeroHex]

most trojans work like this

they look like a program installer or program and when you click ok or cancel it will activate

trojans bypass internet anti viruses all the time thats why you should keep your antivirus updated

 

[Trolly]

Meh, it happens. All I have is AVG free, and I download loads of stuff (even stuff that could be seen as iffy in the virus department), but all I've got is one trojan downloader outbreak in 6 months.
Don't see the point in maintaining so many anti-virus programs at once myself.
Then again, better safe than sorry.

 

[Diablo1123]

I have no anti virus because AVG was screwing something of mine, but I forgot what

Course still have stuff like Firefox + NoScript + Adblocker Plus

 

[UltraMagnus]

the only way to avoid virii is to use an OS that can't be effected by them like linux.

 

[DarkRey]

So, I did an obligatory virus/malware scan, which I've been doing since my previous virus scare. And low and behold, I find a trojan. Not much of a trojan, mind you, and it was taken out swiftly and with ease, but a trojan nonetheless. So I suppose my question is how is this possible?

I'm running Firefox 3 with its built-in fishing and malware dealies, running the ad-block and flashblock extensions, 3rd party cookies turned off, and not frequenting sites of ill-repute. I'm also running Spybot: Search & Destroy and Spyware Blaster to block negative cookies and websites/etc. Plus ZoneAlarm for the inbound/outbound access (with nothing allowed that shouldn't be).

I have Avast running on full protection, it's literally deep-scanning every file I touch on a second by second basis. While SpywareGuard, BoClean, and TeaTimer run by its side (and they're fully compatible when running together). All of them have been fully updated. And I haven't been downloading many files outside of safe program updates.

How could it slip through those defenses? And/or what else could I be doing?

you have more antivirus protections than NASA

QUOTE(Trolly @ Oct 5 2008, 12:33 AM) Meh, it happens. All I have is AVG free, and I download loads of stuff (even stuff that could be seen as iffy in the virus department), but all I've got is one trojan downloader outbreak in 6 months.
Don't see the point in maintaining so many anti-virus programs at once myself.
Then again, better safe than sorry.

Get avg is really gud.

forgot to say
stop downloading gay porn

 

[Trolly]

Get avg is really gud.

forgot to say
stop downloading gay porn

 

[da_head]

wth? how many antivirus' programs do u have?!? i just have firefox 3 stuff and avg. and i do sum pretty dangerous stuff, and my comp is squeaky clean (i think xD).

 

[Doomsday Forte]

Do other people have access to your computer? That could also be a factor. Little Timmy might be downloading all sorts of dangerous PC-killing junk behind your back.

Also. Is your computer running from its very first boot up, or have you reformatted and reinstalled your OS? I know that many computers nowadays come with spyware and other crap preinstalled, so maybe it is picking up on that?

Failing everything else, it could be a false positive.

 

[elenar]

Keep in mind that the heuristic detection algorithms used by most AV software will recognize and alert you to anything that even works in a way that could be like a trojan.

Basic layman's definition of trojan - malware that alters code in another object by disguising itself as a non-malware entity.

Key generators, encryption software, and decision-making trees (a faux A.I.) are all things that i've seen trip anti-virus software.

The makers of AV's tend to play by the "better safe than sorry, so let's just alert the user if it even SEEMS like it COULD be a virus" rules. False positives can and will occur.

Which, of course, is not to say that you didn't legitimately get a trojan. These things just happen.

 

[playallday]

Do other people have access to your computer? That could also be a factor. Little Timmy might be downloading all sorts of dangerous PC-killing junk behind your back.

I know! I know a little kid and he asked me why his DS ROM was a .exe and like 1MB

.