Symantec

Symantec Security Response
http://securityresponse.symantec.com

Termite.7800

Category 1

Termite.7800 is an encrypted, non-memory resident, direct-infector, prepending file virus. It infects DOS and Windows executables.

Also Known As: HLLP.Toadie, Toadie, HLL.Toadie.7800
Type: Virus

threat assessment

Wild

Threat Metrics
Low Low Low

Wild:
Low

Damage:
Low

Distribution:
Low

technical details

Infected Windows .EXEs will be changed to DOS .EXEs. It has a harmless payload that displays a message or a poem.

It also utilizes the mIRC program or Pegasus Mail program to propagate.

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 instructions

If you believe you have been infected, please download the latest virus definitions via LiveUpdate or from the Symantec Security Response Web site.

  • Click here for instructions on using LiveUpdate to retrieve virus definitions.
  • Click here to manually download and install virus definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site.