People are cheap and they’ll do anything to get free entertainment, services or software. This can be hazardous for your PC’s health. Malware distributors are flooding P2P networks with popular song and movie titles that are not in fact songs or movies but trojan downloaders and rootkits.
Last night I had a client who tried to download a movie from Limewire (a popular p2p client) and instead of the movie he got a big’ole malware infestation that crippled his PC. I was able to remove the infections using Combofix (forgot my boot cd), SuperAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes. I should also mention that my client had a fully updated install of AVG Antivirus 8.5 Free. I made a recommendation that he purchase a copy Kaspersky Internet Security 2010.
Here are some pictures from that appointment:
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Thats the exact reason that I use Limewire and uTorrent Sandboxed. I also have Limewire and uTorrent setup as “Run Safer” in Online Armor.
Sorry but it seems like the music industry or something paid you to say that.
Just make sure that its not double extension, and use a player like vlc not wmp
Or if a friend is sending you a big file, make sure that its actully him.
And the sandboxed idea is good
And dont donwload programs. Pretty much everything is infected( i had some fun in a vm)I wasnt trying to pirate
@F – ha…everyone seems to think I get paid. If I did I’d be posting stuff like that every hour.
So much crap. I hope this computer is… um… healthy
@Thermalcake – Yeah, it’s healthy. I just went over there to install a DVD burner for him.
I was helping a friend clean his laptop because he did this very thing of using P2P sites. He had all kinds of Trojans and adware. These P2P sites are not good at all.
I have been downloading from Limewire and uTorrent for 5 years now. Never any infections what so ever. Scan all files before opening. Its all very easy.
@Dieselman – that’s because your one of the .01% of people that know what they’re doing.
I have been using Limewire and Frostwire for years never got infected so i guess i am part of the .01% who know what i am doing i isolate both with GesWall and have Kaspersky 2010 anyway i just discovered something today i downloaded the new version of Limewire Version 5.2.13 and when i opened it i got a blue screen of death error my laptop it rebooted and is fine nothing really happened i believe it was caused by the new limewire version it cannot be isolated and if it is and is opened causing the error to appear
Many online malware removal help websites recommend the removal of P2P program. It really makes perfect sense because hardly anybody knows anything.
The lure of free crap on internet is too appealing for some customers – like moths to the flame. So we’ll drop a folder of Russian MP3 website shortcuts on their desktop as an alternative to the P2P if they insist on bypassing the RIAA.
Also nice to see you embracing the darkside of combofix….
I love Limewire. Number 1 reason. I get paid to remove Virus and clean up peoples Computers after there are doing the wrong thing. I think it is do do with Karma.
@Michael.B
LOL! Same here.Personaly I think it is the No1 reason for infected computers alongside with visiting adult sites.Half of the results in audio and video if you search for something,are viruses and the AV companies just can’t keep up.Usually women’s PC’s are infected this way,and men’s with the adult sites.
Malware being one issue, but These people who illegally download copyrighted movies, Music etc also put themselves at risk of legal action being taken against them. It’s really not worth the risk.
@TrojanHunter – I completely agree and know first hand. One of my old co-workers lost his house after being sued.
@Michael.B – well…ditto
I need to make a living too.
Most PC’s that come into our shop with a Virus / Malware have the following.
1. Windows XP (Usually Sp2 and not updated)
2. Has Limewire &/or Bittorrent Clients
3. AVG Free 8.5
4. Is completely ignorant that downloading Music from Limewire is wrong.
5. Genuine Advantage Pop up for there Office software.
For the Shop. Opportunity to Make Money!
1. Backup Hard disk (So no Loss of Data)
2. Scan Hard disk for Virus (Outside of computer attached to USB) I use Avira.
3. Run Malwarebytes After, usually Reg items left over.
4. Hijackthis, make sure no other start up items are there, and nothing in the HOST File.
>> All this is time and Billed to the customer.
5. See AV Product, because that AVG Free 8.5 did a “Great Job”.
I Recommend Kaspersky Antivirus, another opportunity to make more cash.
6. Run all updates and unsecured programs. (Adobe Flash and sorts)
It is the same old thing every day for me.
People will be like this for the ages.
If they are stupid, they will pay for stupid!
I think, that people don’t want to pay money. For nothing. Not for movies, CD’s, pay-tv or whatever. Not even for the security as we can see here.
In the company I work with, all the PC’s have Avira Antivir Free edition or Avast installed. And I’m talking about more than 100 PC’s. We’ve never talked about malwaere.
I’ve talked to the director of our company and I’ve recommended to buy Kaspersky Open Space Security or something like this. I’ve heared only one thing: It’s to expensive.
Ve are using our USB-sticks every day there and sharing PDF-files, word-documents or excel-files. And sometimes we have to finish our work at home.
So. It’s a high risk for us to get an infection on our personal machines.
Yeah I’m with Dieselman scan everything, read comments, be smart. Now they can have the adult sites and Limewire, but give me uTorrent or give me death, especially since my FTA is on the blink. lol
hmm I am downloading for 6 months and so far there was no bigger infection when i was downloading from bit torrent (except one case
) therefore i always read comments of torrent
@Michael B.
Well I’m helping people to remove viruses via Internet by OTList2 by Oldtimer. It’s a great tool but you must have some knowledge about files and registry keys in system. Of course that’s not the only program, there is also MBAM and others.
Sorry if this is off topic,just found out GDATA has a English speaking forum. This for sure will increase there exposure to the U.S market. http://forum.ultimateinternetsecurity.com/
Couldn’t agree more. I have had very similar experiences cleaning clients’ computers.
Trojanhunter
the music industry is lame.They should not be suing for outragius sums. The 1.92 million suing for sharing 30 songs was original 4+million
first time i got internet on my comp. i didnt know anything with it. so i downloaded all i have seen that it seems to be useful for me, thats how i got avg 8 free. i was downloading froms p2p softwares, and one day start-up just freeeeeeeeeeezed! system KAPUT(not english word)! but now i have PCTOOLS internet security 2009 (always up to date), (purchased), and all works fine.
this is the greatest myth.p2p filesharing is safer than most believe. if u are slightly cautious then then u dont get infected at all..,.i prefer p2p bcoz it is the fastest way to download..it is as almost as safe as browsing..
I don´t think the “P2P” is the real problem.
People will always download stuff one way or another, and there is always a great risk of catching something nasty along the way.
But I still think that if “everyone” is using P2P my “anti-malware” software should be good enough to protect me.
There are those 0.1% that don´t need protection… for the 99.9% left not using P2P but using “any” other “similar” way will be as dangerous.
Those who are new in using P2P programs are the most potential victims of P2P malware.
Be a smart downloader… I’d believe with enough experience, you’ll be able to differentiate malware from authentic files. When downloading music, make sure music files has a bitrate. Avoid wma formats cause they usually contain scripts that ‘redirects’ your browser to their website then fools you to install malware. Make sure you sample the file before it is finished downloading. If no sound is heard, do not bother continue downloading it. Don’t download programs from limewire/frostwire/*WHATEVER*wire. Use torrents. At least you can see individual comments from users who have downloaded it.
From TrojanHunter:
Malware being one issue, but These people who illegally download copyrighted movies, Music etc also put themselves at risk of legal action being taken against them. It’s really not worth the risk.
My word:
No one likes your comment. Lawyers are people who gives their services to the highest bidder. Justice is corruptible.
Again, what is not worth the risk? Being sued by the MPAA/RIAA/ESA/Mediadefender? or even FSF/ESRB/EPA/GPL/ESA/USB/SATA…
There are plenty of methods out there so you can’t be traced by these organizations. To other countries that does not have anti-p2p laws, you don’t have to hide.
For the rest of the world that does not have laws against file-sharing (yet), they hire hackers to pollute the P2P network. This is a futile attempt to drive people to the record stores. Be a smart P2P downloader and you can avoid a lot of viruses.
My computer is full of not-so-legal downloads yet I don’t have any malware infecting my system…
Correction. I do have a malware… it’s Windows Genuine Advantage… malware that is required to keep Windows up to date. I hope they drop the WGA thing in 2014 and would no longer require authentication.
i love how the title starts out that you shouldn’t download from P2P programs and what not; and it got to the point where people are telling how they get around the dangers of P2P programs. i just find it a bit ironic.
Limewire is a piece of shit. AVG is a piece of shit. If you P2P you should use reliable trackers. If you download a movie, make sure it’s not an executable file.