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

Prorat.DS is a backdoor that allows hackers to gain remote access to the affected computer in order to carry out actions that compromise user confidentiality and impede the tasks performed on the computer.

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 notifies the attacker that the computer has been compromised and is ready to be used maliciously; it opens one or more ports to allow remote access to the computer and takes action that compromises user confidentiality.

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

• It terminates processes corresponding to several security tools, such as antivirus programs and firewalls, to prevent detection.
• It injects itself in running processes.

Prorat.DS does not spread automatically using its own means. It needs an attacking user's intervention in order to reach the affected computer. The means of transmission used include, among others, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, email messages with attached files, Internet downloads, FTP, IRC channels, peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing networks, etc.