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

Dialer.ICU is a dialer type malware. Dialers usually try to establish phone connections with high rate numbers, significantly increasing the phone bill of the affected user.

Dialer.ICU affects computers that use a modem to connect to the Internet, as the virus modifies the Dial-up network access settings. It changes the telephone number provided by the ISP (Internet Service Provider), which is a local-rate number, to a high-rate number.

It captures certain information entered or saved by the user, with the corresponding threat to privacy: .

It affects productivity, preventing tasks from being carried out:

• In the affected computer: causes system slowdowns.

• In the local network: it generates a large amount of network activity and consumes bandwidth.

It reduces the security level of the computer: it changes the security settings of Internet Explorer, decreasing its security level.

It uses stealth techniques to avoid being detected by the user:

• It deletes the original file from which it was run once it is installed on the computer.

Dialer.ICU uses the following propagation or distribution methods:

• Exploiting vulnerabilities with the intervention of the user: exploiting vulnerabilities in file formats or applications. To exploit them successfully it needs the intervention of the user: opening files, viewing malicious web pages, reading emails, etc.
• Via Internet, exploiting remote vulnerabilities: attacking random IP addresses, in which it tries to insert a copy of itself by exploiting one or more vulnerabilities.