Virus Encyclopedia

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Autorun.INF

Threat LevelLow threat
DamageHigh
DistributionNot widespread

Effects

The main objective of Autorun.INF is to spread and affect other computers.

Means of transmission


Propagation via mapped drives:

Autorun.INF checks if the infected computer is connected to a network.

If so, it makes an inventory of all mapped drives and creates a copy of itself in each of them.

Propagation through shared network resources:

Autorun.INF checks if the infected computer is connected to a network. If so, it tries to spread to the shared network drives.

To do this, it tries to gain access to these shared drives, using typical or easily guessed passwords.

Distribution of infected files:

Autorun.INF does not spread automatically using its own means, but infects files of the following types:

    They reach computers when previously infected files are distributed, entering computers through any of the usual channels: floppy disks, email messages with attachments, Internet download, files transferred via FTP, IRC channels, P2P file sharing networks, etc.

    Further Details

    Autorun.INF has the following additional characteristics:

    • It is 128 bytes in size.