Threat behavior
When this worm runs on a computer, it copies itself to a folder inside the system folder, and then installs itself as a service using various names. Some variants of the worm also copy a system utility called Tftpd.exe to the same folder.
The worm tries to download various security updates and apply them to the infected computer. The worm restarts the system after each update is downloaded and executed.
Variants of the worm try to remove other malicious software that may be on the infected computer. This software includes Win32/MSBlast, Win32/Doomjuice, and variants of Win32/Mydoom.
Some variants replace Web pages on IIS servers with a Web page containing the heading "LET HISTORY TELL FUTURE!" and a list of dates and numbers.
The worm then scans for other systems over the network by sending ICMP Echo (ping) packets to TCP/IP addresses generated by the worm. If another system is at one of the generated addresses, the worm tries to exploit one or more of the vulnerabilities to transfer itself to the second system, which then runs the worm.
Most variants of this family have a built in expiration date of January 1, 2004. After this date, at system startup the worm either exits or deletes itself.
Prevention
Take the following steps to help prevent infection on your system:
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Enable a firewall on your computer
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Get the latest computer updates
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Use up-to-date antivirus software
Enable a firewall on your computer
Use a third-party firewall product or turn on the Microsoft Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall.
To turn on the Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP
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Click Start, and click Control Panel.
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Click Network and Internet Connections, and click Network Connections. If you do not see Network and Internet Connections, click Switch to Category View.
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Highlight a connection that you want to help protect, and click Change settings of this connection.
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Click Advanced, and select Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet.
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Click OK.
Get the latest computer updates
Updates help protect your computer from viruses, worms, and other threats as they are discovered. You can use the Automatic Updates feature in Microsoft Windows XP to automatically download future Microsoft security updates while your computer is on and connected to the Internet.
To turn on Automatic Updates
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Click Start, and click Control Panel.
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Click Performance and Maintenance. If you do not see Performance and Maintenance , click Switch to Category View.
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Click System.
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Click Automatic Updates, and select Keep my computer up to date.
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Select a setting. Microsoft recommends selecting Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify and setting a regular update time.
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If you choose to have Automatic Updates notify you in step 5, you will see a notification balloon when new downloads are available to install. Click the notification balloon to review and install updates.
Use up-to-date antivirus software
Most antivirus software can detect and prevent infection by known malicious software. You should always run antivirus software on your computer that is updated with the latest signature files to automatically help protect you from infection.