Always.2000

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Classification

Category:

Malware

Type:

Virus

Platform:

-

Aliases:

Always.2000

Summary

This virus is a polymorphic virus infecting COM and EXE files when they are executed.

Always virus activates on random dates during 1997. When it activates, the virus deletes these system files, making the PC unbootable:

C:\IO.SYS C:\MSDOS.SYS C:\CONFIG.SYS

After this, the virus displays this message:

DOS/4GW Professional Protected Mode Run-time
Version 1.95





Copyright (c) Rational Systems, Inc. 1990-1993





Getto Virus
Version 1.0b
Copyright (C) 1995,96 by Geci Allat





This Getto requirest 80286 or better processor





Formating Hard Disk #1 [...................]





Formating Hard Disk #2 [...................]





Ready.





gEtTo
Always the Best!
MS-SUX Destroyer

However, the virus does not format any drives. It is possible to recover the drive by booting from a non-infected system disk with the same version of DOS or Windows as on hard drive and using SYS C: from it.

The virus also contains this text, which is never displayed:

Tested with F-Prot v2.22 and TBAV700

Always was reported to be in the wild in Hungary in December 1996.

Removal

Automatic action

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.

Suspect a file is incorrectly detected (a False Positive)?

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 detection database 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.

Find out more

Knowledge Base

Find the latest advice in our Community Knowledge Base.

User Guide

See the user guide for your product on the Help Center.

Contact Support

Chat with or call an expert for help.

Submit a sample

Submit a file or URL for further analysis.

Technical Details

N/A