Malware Attempts To Delete Microsoft AntiSpyware Program



It was only a month ago that Microsoft Corp. announced its free antispyware application; however, malware has already been detected by an antivirus company, Sophos PLC, that will disable Microsoft’s program and delete all files in the program’s installation directory.


The malware, known as BankAsh-A, not only deletes all of the Microsoft antispyware files, it then goes on to install a keylogger (keystroke logging) program to record all data entered into online banking websites.

Dave’s Opinion
The current version, BankAsh-A, targets U.K. bank customers; however, future versions of the malware application could target other countries’ banking customers. While this type of keylogger isn’t new, BankAsh-A proves the concept that Microsoft’s antispyware software is vulnerable to attack.

It’s disconcerting, although not at all unexpected, that Microsoft’s antispyware would be targeted; many digital security experts just didn’t expect the first attack to come so quickly.

Call for Comments
What do you think? Leave your comments below.

About Todd Cochrane

Todd Cochrane is the Founder of Geek News Central and host of the Geek News Central Podcast. He is a Podcast Hall of Fame Inductee and was one of the very first podcasters in 2004. He wrote the first book on podcasting, and did many of the early Podcast Advertising deals in the podcasting space. He does two other podcasts in addition to Geek News Central. The New Media Show and Podcast Legends.