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Fizzer

 
Threat LevelHigh threatDamageSevereDistributionNot widespread
Common name:Fizzer
Technical name:W32/Fizzer
Threat level:Medium
Type:Worm
Effects:  It captures the keystrokes entered in the affected computer, ends processes that mainly belong to antivirus programs and acts as a backdoor Trojan.
Affected platforms:

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

First detected on:May 8, 2003
Detection updated on:Aug. 24, 2005
StatisticsNo
Yes, using TruPrevent Technologies

Brief Description 

    

Fizzer is a dangerous worm, as it is programmed to capture the keystrokes entered in the affected computer and save them in a text file.

Fizzer also acts as a backdoor type Trojan, allowing a hacker to gain remote access to the resources of the affected computer.

Fizzer also contains instructions for ending process active in memory, which mainly belong to antivirus programs. 

This worm mainly spreads via e-mail. It sends a copy of itself to all the contacts it finds in the Outlook and Windows Address Books. Fizzer also spreads through the P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing program KaZaA.

Visible Symptoms 

    

Fizzer is difficult to recognize, as it does not display any warnings or messages that indicate that it has infected a computer.