Reported increase in PDF-based malware

NormCameron

Vista Guru
PC Tools is reporting an increase in PDF-based malware, some of which can evade antivirus software.
According to a PC Tools blog posting, the security vendor's user community is seeing a slew of rigged PDF files attacking various buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. The PDF malware attacks target the newest publicly known Adobe Acrobat Reader vulnerability. Adobe issued a patch last week.
On some occasions users are duped into downloading malicious files that appear to be Microsoft software updates. More often, users appear to be downloading silent malicious installers.
Worryingly, two of the downloaded, packed files behave in a way that evades antivirus file scanning.
The PC Tools blog posting says: "A chunk of the standard download and execute shellcode that we are currently seeing pulls a file from hxxp://ascoprguide. net/lel / load.php?xpl=pdf, renames it as c:\\U.exe, and runs it on the victim's system. This "U.exe" then runs and installs other adware and spyware related components."


PDF Malware Hits Acrobat Reader Flaw - Business Center - PC World
 

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I stopped using Adobe a long time ago instead I use Foxit which has a much smaller footprint, don't need all the bloat that goes with Adobe ;)
 

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I stopped using Adobe a long time ago instead I use Foxit which has a much smaller footprint, don't need all the bloat that goes with Adobe ;)

Joan, the problem is not Adobes. Foxit will read PDF's. The reported malware is in the PDF. It used to be PDF's were a secure form of document. You need to ensure that you Antivrus Program scans PDF's now. :geek:
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Scratch Built
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core 6600
    Motherboard
    Asus P5B
    Memory
    4096 MB Xtreme-Dark 800mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac Amp Edition 8800GT - 512MB DDR3, O/C 700mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 206BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680 X 1024
    Hard Drives
    4 X Samsung 500GB 7200rpm Serial ATA-II HDD w. 16MB Cache .
    PSU
    550 w
    Case
    Thermaltake
    Cooling
    3 x octua NF-S12-1200 - 120mm 1200RPM Sound Optimised Fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Targus
    Internet Speed
    1500kbs
    Other Info
    Self built.
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