Eek (b)

SUMMARY

This is an encrypted boot virus, capable of infecting the Master Boot Record and the Boot Sector of hard disks on target computers. It is not destructive.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) March 27, 2000
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) March 27, 2000

Threat Assessment

Wild

• Wild Level: Low
• Number of Infections: 50 - 999
• Number of Sites: 3 - 9
• Geographical Distribution: Low
• Threat Containment: Moderate
• Removal: Easy

Damage

• Damage Level: Low

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Medium
• Target of Infection: MBR, BS, floppy disks

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Some systems using boot managers or multiple-OS systems that store information in the first track of the hard disk might be irreparable.

Recommendations

Symantec Security Response encourages all users and administrators to adhere to the following basic security "best practices":

• Turn off and remove unneeded services. By default, many operating systems install auxiliary services that are not critical, such as an FTP server, telnet, and a Web server. These services are avenues of attack. If they are removed, blended threats have less avenues of attack and you have fewer services to maintain through patch updates.
• If a blended threat exploits one or more network services, disable, or block access to, those services until a patch is applied.
• Always keep your patch levels up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services (for example, all Windows-based computers should have the current Service Pack installed.). Additionally, please apply any security updates that are mentioned in this writeup, in trusted Security Bulletins, or on vendor Web sites.
• Enforce a password policy. Complex passwords make it difficult to crack password files on compromised computers. This helps to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.
• Configure your email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
• Isolate infected computers quickly to prevent further compromising your organization. Perform a forensic analysis and restore the computers using trusted media.
• Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them. Also, do not execute software that is downloaded from the Internet unless it has been scanned for viruses. Simply visiting a compromised Web site can cause infection if certain browser vulnerabilities are not patched.

REMOVAL

1. Run LiveUpdate to make sure that you have the most recent virus definitions.
2. Close all programs, shut down the computer, turn off the power, and wait thirty seconds. You must do this to clear memory.
3. Do one of the following, depending on your version of Norton AntiVirus (NAV):
   • NAV 2002. Follow these steps to run the DOS scanner:
     1. Restart the computer using a clean DOS boot disk that you created on an uninfected computer.
     2. Run Navdx.exe (the DOS scanner) from the from the Norton AntiVirus program folder using the /boot and /repair switches. For example:
        
        C:> progra~1 orton~1 avdx.exe /cfg:a /boot /repair
        
     3. Press Enter and follow the prompts if any.
   • NAV 2001. Follow these steps to run the DOS scanner:
     1. Restart the computer using a clean DOS boot disk or a NAV 2001 Emergency Disk that you created on an uninfected computer.
     2. Run Navdx.exe (the DOS scanner):
        • If you are using a boot disk, run it from the from the Norton AntiVirus program folder using the /boot and /repair switches. For example:
          
          C:> progra~1 orton~1 avdx.exe /cfg:a /boot /repair
          
          
        • If using the NAV 2001 Emergency Disk, type the following at the Emergency Disk command line:
          
          navdx.exe /cfg:a /boot /repair
          
     3. Press Enter and follow the prompts if any.
   • NAV 2000 and earlier. Versions of the Emergency Disk program that are included in NAV 2000 and earlier may not be able to remove this virus. You need to download the free, updated version of the DOS scanner. See the document How to create Emergency Disks by downloading a program from the Symantec FTP site.
     
     After you have created the Emergency Disks on an uninfected computer, follow these steps to run the DOS scanner:
     1. Restart the computer using the Emergency Disk.
     2. At the Emergency Disk command line, type:
        
        navdx.exe /cfg:a /boot /repair
        
     3. Press Enter, and follow the prompts.