Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Virus

Aliases :

Kaos4

Summary

Kaos4 got distributed via a file that was posted in a message to the usenet newsgroup alt.binaries.pictures.erotica on the 24th of July, 1994.

The virus did spread very fast around the globe. Incidents were reported from at least USA, Germany, Austria, Norway and Finland.

Removal

Based on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either move the file to the quarantine where it cannot spread or cause harm, or remove it.

A False Positive is when a file is incorrectly detected as harmful, usually because its code or behavior resembles known harmful programs. A False Positive will usually be fixed in a subsequent database update without any action needed on your part. If you wish, you may also:

  • Check for the latest database updates

    First check if your F-Secure security program is using the latest updates, then try scanning the file again.

  • Submit a sample

    After checking, if you still believe the file is incorrectly detected, you can submit a sample of it for re-analysis.

    Note: If the file was moved to quarantine, you need to collect the file from quarantine before you can submit it.

  • Exclude a file from further scanning

    If you are certain that the file is safe and want to continue using it, you can exclude it from further scanning by the F-Secure security product.

    Note: You need administrative rights to change the settings.

Technical Details

Kaos4 is a simple virus by operation: it spreads only, when an infected file is executed. The virus infects COM and EXE files in the current directory and in the directories listed in PATH. It does not do anything besides spreading. Infected files grow by 697 bytes.

The virus contains the following text: "KAOS4 / K"hntark". K"hntark is an alias for a known virus writer in USA.