Trojan.Mebromi hides in motherboard

[Ban Hammer 14,292]

Security researchers have found a nasty new virus that borrows in to a computer's motherboard, infects PCs as soon as they boot up, and is particularly difficult to detect and dispose of.

The security firm Symantec identified the threat as Trojan.Mebromi, a piece of rootkit malware — malicious software that hides its presence on infected systems — that worms its way onto the basic input-output system (BIOS) built into a computer's motherboard.

Once it's gotten into the BIOS via an attached corrupt file, Mebromi then loads itself onto the PC's master boot record (MBR), another component that gets executed prior to the loading of a computer's operating system.

Think of it in terms of the human body: Mebromi doesn't infect the bloodstream on the way to the heart; it gets into the heart first and then takes control from there.

And as a doctor might toil to treat such a case, anti-virus companies could face a similar struggle.

Because Mebromi stores itself inside the BIOS, anti-virus software would need to effectively remove the Trojan without damaging the motherboard it's hiding under.

Added to that problem is Mebromi's persistence: it could potentially keep executing itself every time a user turns on his computer.

Even if an anti-virus detects and cleans the MBR infection, it will be restored at the next system startup when the malicious BIOS payload would overwrite the MBR code again.

To lower your risk of falling prey to this or any other computer viruses, make sure your computers and all other Internet-connected devices are equipped with up-to-date anti-virus software.

link

very long article on this link

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Time to build a new computer with a UEFI BIOS.

[Nagishkaw 510]

At this time, Mebromi is not designed to infect 64-bit operating system and it is not able to infect the system if run with limited privileges.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Most OS's from the last few years are 64 bit, especially Windows 7. Of course, I'm still running XP. And Windows 8 is coming next year. I'm feeling more and more like a dinosaur every day.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

yeah 64 bit here.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Most OS's from the last few years are 64 bit, especially Windows 7. Of course, I'm still running XP. And Windows 8 is coming next year. I'm feeling more and more like a dinosaur every day.

Embrace your inner luddite and take a sledgehammer to that thing. You are a pirate and not interested in 64 bits, only pieces of eight.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Embrace your inner luddite and take a sledgehammer to that thing. You are a pirate and not interested in 64 bits, only pieces of eight.

If you only knew how many times I felt like taking a sledge hammer to it!! It has sentimental value. It got me thru 34 month of the immigration process, and that was just for the waiver and fiance visa. And then AOS and now ROC. Plus research on citizenship. When I'm done, I'm having it bronzed and put it on the mantle next to my picture of Tom Brady. :devil:

[Nagishkaw 510]

If you only knew how many times I felt like taking a sledge hammer to it!! It has sentimental value. It got me thru 34 month of the immigration process, and that was just for the waiver and fiance visa. And then AOS and now ROC. Plus research on citizenship. When I'm done, I'm having it bronzed and put it on the mantle next to my picture of Tom Brady. :devil:

The power of Belichick compels you.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

If you only knew how many times I felt like taking a sledge hammer to it!! It has sentimental value. It got me thru 34 month of the immigration process, and that was just for the waiver and fiance visa. And then AOS and now ROC. Plus research on citizenship. When I'm done, I'm having it bronzed and put it on the mantle next to my picture of Tom Brady. :devil:

My Tom Landry crucifix protects me from the evil one. :devil:

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I wonder if you put a Trojan on the motherboard if that would prevent the virus?

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

I wonder if you put a Trojan on the motherboard if that would prevent the virus?

O.J. Simpson?

[SuperDuper! 230]

Most OS's from the last few years are 64 bit, especially Windows 7. Of course, I'm still running XP. And Windows 8 is coming next year. I'm feeling more and more like a dinosaur every day.

Hey, if you are going to be extinct, better to be a dinosaur than a dodo!

ps, XP is rock solid, nothing wrong with sticking with that.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I like it, no problems since I did a reinstall two years ago or so. I run a minimalist system with it.