Posted on 05/27/2004 11:27:16 AM PDT by zeugma
W64.Rugrat.3344 is a direct-action infector (it exits memory after execution) of IA64 Windows Portable Executable (PE) files - this includes most Windows applications - excluding .dlls. It infects files that are in the same folder as the virus and in all subfolders. It is the first known virus for 64-bit Windows, and it uses the Thread Local Storage structures to execute the viral code. This is an unusual method of executing code. It does not infect 32-bit Portable Executable files, and it will not run on 32-bit Windows platforms. The virus is written in IA64 assembly code.
Note: A true 64 bit machine is not required for this virus, as it can be run on a 32 bit machine using 64 bit simulation software.
Systems Affected: Windows 64-bit (IA64)
Systems Not Affected: DOS, Linux, Macintosh, OS/2, UNIX, Windows 2000, Windows 3.x, Windows 64-bit (AMD64), Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP
It won't affect as many Lusers as something running on older versions of windows, but it looks like windows is at least keeping the fine tradition of being a petri dish for viruses is alive and well.
More reason to stick with Windows 98SE.
After getting a DEEP Look at the incredible intrusiveness of Windows XP intrusive LOGGING and "Backup" 'FEATURES', I'm about to FLUSH Win XP [after securely deleting the contents of the C drive, or, perhaps owing to the DIRT CHEAP DRIVES (DOT COM) 40 GIG situation], in favour of a Windows 98 SE setup...
In my humble opinion...Windows XP fatally stores the PLAINTEXT, CIPHERTEXT, and Title and Version Number of the ENCRYPTION software...making SNOOPS of any kind able to recover the ENTIRE KEYRING!!!
No wonder that Japan, S. Korea, and RED CHINA...enemies that they were and ARE...agree...NOTHING is secure with MICRO$$$$ SHAFT at the mercy of the "suggestions" of the Justice Department!!!
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