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

Downloader.XON is a Trojan, which although seemingly inoffensive, can actually carry out attacks and intrusions.

It affects productivity, preventing tasks from being carried out:

• In the affected computer: it converts the computer into a platform for taking malicious action surreptitiously: spam sending, launch of Denial of Service attacks, malware distribution, etc.

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

• It prevents scanning tools from running, such as Windows Registry Editor, FileMonitor, etc.

Downloader.XON 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.