Trojan-AIM

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Trojan

Aliases :

Trojan-AIM, Instant Messenger trojan, AIM trojan, ICQ trojan, MSN trojan, Trojan-AOL, Trojan-MSN, Trojan-Yahoo, IM-TROJAN

Summary

Instant Messenger Trojan (generic description).

An Instant Messenger Trojan is usually a standalone program that affects a certain Instant Messenger (IM) client. There are a few widely used instant messenger networks - ICQ, MSN, Yahoo!, AOL and a few others. All these networks have specific clients that are available to all subscribers. Some instant messenger clients, for example Trillian, can connect to multiple IM networks.

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

Instant Messenger trojans are usually standalone programs that are sent by hackers to their potential victims in emails or instant messages. IM trojans are most frequently used to steal user's IM account information. When such trojan is run, it tries to locate an IM client's user information and to send it to a hacker via email or using the existing IM client. That way a hacker gets all data he needs to connect to an IM network using victim's credentials.

Most famous IM trojans: Ypager, Ikmet, Spy, ICQSteal.