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

IRCBot.BFY is a worm that spreads by copying itself, without infecting other files.

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

It sends the gathered information to a remote user by any available means: email, FTP, etc.

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 awaits remote-control orders received through IRC or FTP.

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

• It uses techniques included in its code to hide itself while it is active.
• It terminates processes corresponding to several security tools, such as antivirus programs and firewalls, to prevent detection.
• It injects itself in running processes.
• It deletes the original file from which it was run once it is installed on the computer.
• It modifies system permissions in order to hide itself.

It uses several methods in order to avoid detection by antivirus companies:

• It terminates its own execution if it detects that it is being executed in a virtual machine environment, such as VMWare or VirtualPC.
• It terminates its own execution if it detects that a memory dump program is running, such as Procdump.
• It terminates its own execution if it detects that a debugging program is active.

IRCBot.BFY 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.
• Computer networks (mapped drives): it creates copies of itself in mapped drives.
• Computer networks (shared resources): it creates copies of itself in shared network resources to which it has access.