Spyware.LoverSpy

SUMMARY

Behavior

Spyware.LoverSpy monitors and records all the activity that occurs on your computer, such as email, Web sites visited, instant messaging communication, passwords, files, and keystrokes. Periodically, the spyware sends an email to a predefined email address containing the logged information.

Symptoms

The presence of one or more files detected as Spyware.LoverSpy.

Transmission

Spyware.LoverSpy may arrive as an email greeting card.

Protection

• Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate™ Weekly) October 1, 2003
• Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater) September 29, 2003

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Spyware.LoverSpy may arrive as an email greeting card. When you receive the e-card, Spyware.LoverSpy will be automatically and silently installed into your system.

When Spyware.LoverSpy runs, it may create the following files:

• %Windir%Mspssvf.exe
• %Windir%Mspssvf.bat
• %Windir%Mspssvf.txt
• %Windir%Rec_pwd.html
• %System%ShellExtCsrss.exe

---

Notes:

• %Windir% is a variable: The spyware locates the Windows installation folder (by default, this is C:Windows or C:Winnt) and copies itself to that location.
• %System% is a variable: The spyware locates the System folder and copies itself to that location. By default, this is C:WindowsSystem (Windows 95/98/Me), C:WinntSystem32 (Windows NT/2000), or C:WindowsSystem32 (Windows XP).

---

Spyware.LoverSpy allows the remote controller to perform any of the following actions:

• Monitors the emails transmitted through Hotmail, Yahoo, AOL, Excite, and Outlook and forwards the email messages to the predefined email address.
• Download/Upload/Execute/Delete files.
• Steal passwords.
• Keylogger.
• Monitors Web sites visited and instant messaging communication.

The logged information is periodically sent to a predefined email address.

REMOVAL

1. Update the virus definitions.
2. Run a full system scan and delete all the files detected as Spyware.LoverSpy. Manually delete the files that the spyware created.
   

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. Updating the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

• Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions: These virus definitions are posted to the LiveUpdate servers once each week (usually on Wednesdays), unless there is a major virus outbreak. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by LiveUpdate, refer to the Virus Definitions (LiveUpdate).
• Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted on U.S. business days (Monday through Friday). You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to the Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).
  
  The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are available: Read "How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater" for detailed instructions.

2. Scanning for and deleting the infected files

1. Start Norton AntiVirus and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files. Read the document, "How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files."
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected as infected with Spyware.LoverSpy, click Delete.
4. Using Windows Explorer, delete the following files if they exist:
   • %Windir%Mspssvf.exe
   • %Windir%Mspssvf.bat
   • %Windir%Mspssvf.txt
   • %Windir%Rec_pwd.html
   • %System%ShellExtCsrss.exe