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Published Feb 16, 2005 | Updated Sep 15, 2017

Worm:Win32/Spybot.AK

Detected by Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Aliases: No associated aliases

Summary

Worm:Win32/Spybot.AK is a network worm that targets certain versions of Microsoft Windows. When a computer is infected with Win32/Bropia.A.worm, that worm drops Worm:Win32/Spybot.AK on the infected computer. Win32/Spybot.AI.worm in turn spreads to other computers that do not have Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011 (Windows LSASS buffer overflow vulnerability) installed. Worm:Win32/Spybot.AK also has backdoor capabilities, which allow attackers to control an computer through an IRC channel.
To manually recover from infection by Worm:Win32/Spybot.AK, perform the following steps:
  1. Disconnect from the Internet.
  2. End the worm process.
  3. Delete the worm files from your computer.
  4. Delete the worm registry entries.
  5. Take steps to prevent re-infection.

Disconnect from the Internet

To help ensure that your computer is not actively infecting other computers, disconnect it from the Internet before proceeding. Print this Web page or save a copy on your computer; then unplug your network cable and disable your wireless connection. You can reconnect to the Internet after completing these steps.

End the worm process

Ending the worm process will help stop your computer from infecting other computers as well as resolve the crashing, rebooting, and performance degradation issues caused by the worm.
To end the worm process
  1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL once and click Task Manager.
  2. Click Processes and click Image Name to sort the running processes by name.
  3. Select the process win32usb.exe, and click End Process.

Delete the worm files from your computer

To delete the worm files from your computer
  1. Click Start, and click Run.
  2. In the Open field, type %Windir%\System32.
  3. Click OK.
  4. Click Name to sort files by name.
  5. If the file lexplore.exe.exe is in the list, delete it.
If deleting the files fails, follow these steps to verify that lexplore.exe.exe is not running:
  1. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL once and click Task Manager.
  2. Click Processes and click Image Name to sort the running processes by name.
  3. Confirm that lexplore.exe.exe is not in the list.

Delete the worm registry entries

Worm:Win32/Spybot.AK creates entries in the Windows registry that attempt to run the worm every time your computer restarts. These entries should be deleted.
To delete the worm registry entries
  1. On the Start menu, click Run.
  2. Type regedit and click OK.
  3. In the left pane, navigate to the registry key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
  4. In the right pane, right-click the value lexplore, if it exists.
  5. Click Delete and click Yes to delete the value.
  6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 for each of the following registry keys:
    7. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\OLE
  7. Close the Registry Editor.

Take steps to prevent re-infection

Do not reconnect your computer to the Internet until the computer is protected from re-infection. See the "Preventing Infection" section for more information.
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