HLP.Macro

SUMMARY

This is a generic detection.

If Norton AntiVirus (NAV) detects this infection in a file, NAV has determined that the file exhibits virus-like behavior.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) August 24, 2001

Threat Assessment

Wild

• Wild Level: Low
• Number of Infections: 0 - 49
• Number of Sites: 0 - 2
• Geographical Distribution: Low
• Threat Containment: Easy
• Removal: Easy

Damage

• Damage Level: Low

Distribution

• Distribution Level: Low

TECHNICAL DETAILS

In some cases, this could indicate that the file is infected with a new or unknown virus. We recommend that you submit the suspect file or files to Symantec Security Response using Scan and Deliver. For instructions, read the document How to submit a file to Symantec Security Response using Scan and Deliver. If Symantec Security Response determines that the file is infected by a threat for which definitions have not yet been released, and for which specific definitions are needed, you may receive a file by return email that contains "Beta" definitions for the threat.

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

In most cases, files that are detected as infected by HLP.Macro should be deleted and restored from backup or reinstalled.