You're in: Panda Security > Home Users > security-info > about-malware > encyclopedia > overview
Active Scan. Scan your PC free
Panda Security Product Line 2012

Virus Encyclopedia

Welcome to the Virus Encyclopedia of Panda Security.

Encyclopedia GetVirusCard True 0

Nimda.D

 
Threat LevelHigh threatDamageSevereDistributionNot widespread
Common name:Nimda.D
Technical name:W32/Nimda.D
Threat level:Medium
Type:Worm
Effects:  It infects files with an EXE extension. It grants access to all disk drives in the computers connected to the same network as the infected computer.

Affected platforms:

Windows XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95

First detected on:
Detection updated on:Oct. 25, 2007
StatisticsNo
Yes, using TruPrevent Technologies
Country of origin:CHINA
Family:NIMDA

Brief Description 

    

Nimda.D is a dangerous worm, which is highly contagious and difficult to recognize. It spreads extremely quickly using its own methods, through the following means:

  • E-mail messages with an attachment called SAMPLE.EXE. Nimda.D exploits a vulnerability in Internet Explorer (versions 5.01 and 5.5), which allows it to carry out its infection when the message carrying the virus is viewed in the Preview Pane.
  • Computer networks. It allows shared access to the hard drive C: in the infected computer.

The danger of Nimda.D lies in its capacity to spread and infect, which allows it to access the disk drives of the other computers connected in the same network as the infected computer.

Its aim is to spread to as many computers as possible and infect all the files with an EXE extension that it finds.

Visible Symptoms 

    

It is difficult to know if you have received the message carrying Nimda.D, regardless of the means of transmission used.

The only clear indication that Nimda.D has reached your computer is a file called SAMPLE.EXE, which is attached to the e-mail messages that are infected with this virus.