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Published Nov 12, 2012 | Updated Sep 15, 2017

Win32/Phorpiex

Detected by Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Aliases: Win32/Zehbilas (ESET)

Summary

Win32/Phorpiex is a family of worms that spread via removable drives and IM (instant messaging) software. The worms also allow backdoor access and control.
To detect and remove this threat and other malicious software that may be installed on your computer, run a full-system scan with an appropriate, up-to-date, security solution. The following Microsoft products detect and remove this threat:
Removing a program exception

This threat may add a malware program to the Windows Firewall exception list. To remove the program exception, follow these steps:

For Windows 8:

  1. Open Windows Firewall by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering firewall in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Windows Firewall.
  2. In the left pane, tap or click Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall.
  3. Tap or click Change settings. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
  4. Select the check box next to the app you want to allow, select the network types you want to allow communication on, and then click OK.

For Windows 7:

  1. Click Start, select Control Panel, then System and Security.
  2. Select Windows Firewall.
  3. On the left-hand menu, select Allow a program through Windows Firewall. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  4. Click Change Settings. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  5. Select <program name> from the list of allowed programs and features. Click Remove.
  6. Click OK.

For Windows Vista:

  1. Click Start, select Control Panel, then Security Center.
  2. On the left-hand menu, select Windows Firewall.
  3. On the left-hand menu, select Allow a program through Windows Firewall. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  4. Select <program name> from the list of allowed programs and features. Click Delete.
  5. Click OK.

For Windows XP:

  1. Use an administrator account to log on.
  2. Click Start, select Run, type wscui.cpl, and then click OK.
  3. In Windows Security Center, click Windows Firewall.
  4. On the Exceptions tab, click <program name> and then click Delete.
  5. Click OK.
Disable Autorun functionality

This threat attempts to spread via removable drives on computers that support Autorun functionality. This is a particularly common method of spreading for many current malware families. For information on disabling Autorun functionality, please see the following article:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/967715/

 

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