Difference between viruses, worms, and trojans

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• Endpoint Protection

Issue/Introduction

This article discusses computer viruses and how they differ from trojans, worms, and hoaxes.

Resolution

The term virus is often used as a generic reference to any malicious code ("malware") that is not, in fact, a true computer virus. This document discusses viruses, Trojans, worms, and hoaxes and ways to prevent them.

What is a virus?

A computer virus is a small program written to alter the way a computer operates, without the permission or knowledge of the user. A virus must meet two criteria:

• It must execute itself. It will often place its own code in the path of execution of another program.
• It must replicate itself. For example, it may replace other executable files with a copy of the virus infected file. Viruses can infect desktop computers and network servers alike.

Some viruses are programmed to damage the computer by damaging programs, deleting files, or reformatting the hard disk. Others are not designed to do any damage, but simply to replicate themselves and make their presence known by presenting text, video, and audio messages. Even these benign viruses can create problems for the computer user. They typically take up computer memory used by legitimate programs. As a result, they often cause erratic behavior and can result in system crashes. In addition, many viruses are bug-ridden, and these bugs may lead to system crashes and data loss.

There are five recognized types of viruses:

File infector viruses

File infector viruses infect program files. These viruses normally infect executable code, such as .com and .exe files. The can infect other files when an infected program is run from floppy, hard drive, or from the network. Many of these viruses are memory resident. After memory becomes infected, any uninfected executable that runs becomes infected. Examples of known file infector viruses include Jerusalem and Cascade.

Boot sector viruses

Boot sector viruses infect the system area of a disk--that is, the boot record on floppy disks and hard disks. All floppy disks and hard disks (including disks containing only data) contain a small program in the boot record that is run when the computer starts up. Boot sector viruses attach themselves to this part of the disk and activate when the user attempts to start up from the infected disk. These viruses are always memory resident in nature. Most were written for DOS, but, all PCs, regardless of the operating system, are potential targets of this type of virus. All that is required to become infected is to attempt to start up your computer with an infected floppy disk Thereafter, while the virus remains in memory, all floppy disks that are not write protected will become infected when the floppy disk is accessed. Examples of boot sector viruses are Form, Disk Killer, Michelangelo, and Stoned.

Master boot record viruses

Master boot record viruses are memory resident viruses that infect disks in the same manner as boot sector viruses. The difference between these two virus types is where the viral code is located. Master boot record infectors normally save a legitimate copy of the master boot record in an different location. Windows NT computers that become infected by either boot sector viruses or master boot sector viruses will not boot. This is due to the difference in how the operating system accesses its boot information, as compared to Windows 95/98. If your Windows NT systems is formatted with FAT partitions you can usually remove the virus by booting to DOS and using antivirus software. If the boot partition is NTFS, the system must be recovered by using the three Windows NT Setup disks. Examples of master boot record infectors are NYB, AntiExe, and Unashamed.

Multipartite viruses

Multipartite (also known as polypartite) viruses infect both boot records and program files. These are particularly difficult to repair. If the boot area is cleaned, but the files are not, the boot area will be reinfected. The same holds true for cleaning infected files. If the virus is not removed from the boot area, any files that you have cleaned will be reinfected. Examples of multipartite viruses include One_Half, Emperor, Anthrax and Tequilla.

Macro viruses

These types of viruses infect data files. They are the most common and have cost corporations the most money and time trying to repair. With the advent of Visual Basic in Microsoft's Office 97, a macro virus can be written that not only infects data files, but also can infect other files as well. Macro viruses infect Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access files. Newer strains are now turning up in other programs as well. All of these viruses use another program's internal programming language, which was created to allow users to automate certain tasks within that program. Because of the ease with which these viruses can be created, there are now thousands of them in circulation. Examples of macro viruses include W97M.Melissa, WM.NiceDay, and W97M.Groov.

What is a Trojan horse?

Trojan horses are impostors--files that claim to be something desirable but, in fact, are malicious. A very important distinction from true viruses is that they do not replicate themselves, as viruses do. Trojans contain malicious code, that, when triggered, cause loss, or even theft, of data. In order for a Trojan horse to spread, you must, in effect, invite these programs onto your computers--for example, by opening an email attachment.  The classifications Trojan Horse, Trojan.Gen, and Trojan.Gen.2 are broad categories that cover a wide array or Trojan programs.  Other designations, such as Trojan.Sload, refer to a more specific threat family that has a particular behavior or characteristics.   

What is a worm?

Worms are programs that replicate themselves from system to system without the use of a host file. This is in contrast to viruses, which requires the spreading of an infected host file. Although worms generally exist inside of other files, often Word or Excel documents, there is a difference between how worms and viruses use the host file. Usually the worm will release a document that already has the "worm" macro inside the document. The entire document will travel from computer to computer, so the entire document should be considered the worm. PrettyPark.Worm is a particularly prevalent example.

What is a blended threat?

Blended threats combine the characteristics of viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and malicious code with server and Internet vulnerabilities to initiate, transmit, and spread an attack. By using multiple methods and techniques, blended threats can rapidly spread and cause widespread damage.

Characteristics of blended threats include the following:

• Causes harm
  Launches a Denial of Service (DoS) attack at a target IP address, defaces Web servers, or plants Trojan horse programs for later execution.
• Propagates by multiple methods
  Scans for vulnerabilities to compromise a system, such as embedding code in HTML files on a server, infecting visitors to a compromised Web site, or sending unauthorized email from compromised servers with a worm attachment.
• Attacks from multiple points
  Injects malicious code into the .exe files on a system, raises the privilege level of the guest account, creates world read and writeable network shares, makes numerous registry changes, and adds script code into HTML files.
• Spreads without human intervention
  Continuously scans the Internet for vulnerable servers to attack.
• Exploits vulnerabilities
  Takes advantage of known vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows, HTTP input validation vulnerabilities, and known default passwords to gain unauthorized administrative access.

Effective protection from blended threats requires a comprehensive security solution that contains multiple layers of defense and response mechanisms.

What is an expanded threat?

An expanded threat is an application or software-based executable that is either independent or interdependent on another software program, and meets one or more of the following criteria:

• Is considered to be nonviral in nature (that is, does not spread on its own using a virus-like mechanism, or meet the definition of a worm or Trojan horse), yet conforms in a significant way to the general definition of a category of expanded threat.
• Has been submitted to Symantec by a critical number of either corporate or individual users within a given timeframe. The timeframe and number may vary by category and by threat.
• Can be shown to create a general nuisance related to one of the specified threat categories, or exhibits behavior that is as yet undefined under a broader category of expanded threat.

For information about expanded threat categories, visit Symantec Security Response.

What is a virus hoax?

Virus hoaxes are messages, almost always sent by email, that amount to little more than chain letters. Some of the common phrases used in these hoaxes are:

• If you receive an email titled [email virus hoax name here], do not open it!
• Delete it immediately!
• It contains the [hoax name] virus.
• It will delete everything on your hard drive and [extreme and improbable danger specified here].
• This virus was announced today by [reputable organization name here].
• Forward this warning to everyone you know!

Most virus hoax warnings do not deviate far from this pattern. If you are unsure whether a virus warning is legitimate or a hoax, additional information is available at the Symantec Security Response hoaxes page.

What is not a virus?

Because of the publicity that viruses have received, it is easy to blame any computer problem on a virus. The following are not likely to be caused by a virus or other malicious code:

• Hardware problems. There are no viruses that can physically damage computer hardware, such as chips, boards, and monitors.
• The computer beeps at startup with no screen display. This is usually caused by a hardware problem during the boot process. Consult your computer documentation for the meaning of the beep codes.
• The computer does not register 640 KB of conventional memory. This can be a sign of a virus, but it is not conclusive. Some hardware drivers such as those for the monitor or SCSI card can use some of this memory. Consult with your computer manufacturer or hardware vendor to determine if this is the case.
• You have two antivirus programs installed and one of them reports a virus. While this could be a virus, it can also be caused by one antivirus program detect the other program's signatures in memory. For additional information, see Should you run more than one antivirus program at the same time?
• You are using Microsoft Word and Word warns you that a document contains a macro. This does not mean that the macro is a virus.
• You are not able to open a particular document. This is not necessarily an indication of a virus. Try opening another document or a backup of the document in question. If other documents open correctly, the document may be damaged.
• The label on a hard drive has changed. Every disk is allowed to have a label. You can assign a label to a disk by using the "label" command at the command prompt.

What is safe computing?

With all the hype, it is easy to believe that viruses lurk in every file, every email, every Web site. However, a few basic precautions can minimize your risk of infection. Practice safe computing and encourage everyone you know to do so as well.

General precautions

• Be suspicious of email attachments from unknown sources.
• Verify that attachments have been sent by the author of the email. Threats can send email messages that appear to be from people you know.
• Do not set your email program to "auto-run" attachments.
• Obtain all Microsoft security updates.
• Back up your data frequently. Keep the (write protected) media in a safe place--preferably in a different location than your computer.

Specific to Symantec Endpoint Protection

• Make sure that you have the most recent virus and spyware definitions. Symantec Security Response updates Symantec Endpoint Protection definitions in response to new virus threats three times daily. By default, the unmanaged client checks for updates every four hours; the managed client updates from the Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager as soon as new content is available. You can also run LiveUpdate manually. Other content, such as Intrusion Prevention signatures, is updated less frequently, but as needed. For additional information, see Virus Definitions & Security Updates.
• Always keep Auto-Protect running. Symantec Security Response strongly recommends that you have scans set to scan all files, not just program files.
• Scan all new software before you install it.
• Scan all media that someone else has given you.
• Use caution when opening email attachments. Email attachments are a major source of virus infections. Microsoft Office attachments for Word, Excel, and Access can be infected by Macro viruses. Other attachments can contain file infector viruses. File system Auto-Protect will scan these attachments for viruses as you open or detach them, as do the client email scanners.

Additional information

For the most up-to-date information on viruses, visit the Symantec Security Response Web site.

To submit a file you suspect may be malicious or a threat, see Submit suspicious files to Symantec Security Response.

Security 1:1 series

• Security 1:1 Part 1 - Viruses and Worms
• Security 1:1 Part 2 - Trojans and other security threats