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

Lineage.LAF is a virus that spreads to other computers by copying its code to other files or programs.

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

It reduces the security level of the computer: it terminates processes belonging to security tools, such as antivirus programs and firewalls, leaving the computer defenseless against attacks from other malware.

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.
• It modifies system permissions in order to hide itself.

Lineage.LAF 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.

Lineage.LAF uses the following infection strategies:

• Resident: once it has been run, the virus goes memory resident and stops functions belonging to the operating system. Therefore, every time the operating system or an application tries to access any of these functions, the virus will activate and infect new files.