Virus Encyclopedia

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GoldenEye

 
Threat LevelModerate threat
DamageHigh
DistributionNot widespread
Common name:GoldenEye
Technical name:Application/GoldenEye
Threat level:Low
Alias:SPYW_GOLDEYE.200, Golden Eye,
Type:Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP)
Effects:   It is a Potentially Unwanted Program, which can affect the users' consent, awarenes or control over the program. It captures keystrokes. It does not spread automatically using its own means.
Affected platforms:

Windows 2003/XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95

First detected on:May 9, 2006
Detection updated on:Sept. 18, 2007
StatisticsNo
Proactive protection:
Yes, using TruPrevent Technologies

Brief Description 

    

GoldenEye belongs to the category of Potentially Unwanted Programs, also known as PUPs.

PUPs are programs that, due to their features or means of distribution, can affect users' consent, awareness or control over operations like:

  • Installation.
  • Modifications carried out on the computer.
  • Behavior of the program.
  • Processing of personal data.
  • Uninstallation.

 

The evaluation criteria of PUPs are based on the proposals suggested by the Anti-Spyware Coalition, organization of which Panda Security is a member.

 

It captures certain information entered or saved by the user, with the corresponding threat to privacy: keystrokes, in order to obtain information for accessing online banking services, passwords and other confidential information.

 

GoldenEye does not spread automatically using its own means. It needs an attacking user's intervention in order to reach the affected computer. The means of transmission used include, among others, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, email messages with attached files, Internet downloads, FTP, IRC channels, peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing networks, etc.