Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Virus

Aliases :

Tentacle

Summary

This Windows-based virus was found in the wild from France and UK in March 1996. The virus was distributed in a file called dogzcode.zip via the alt.cracks usenet newsgroup. Tentacle infects Windows 3.1x EXE files.

Tentacle infects files in the current and Windows directories. It does not stay memory resident.

Occasionally, Tentacle will replace the icon in the infected EXE file with it's own copy. This new icon has a picture of a tentacle and the text 'Tentacle'. Tentacle also sometimes corrupts EXE files when infecting them. Such program do not work after the infection.

The author of this virus also wrote the Shell and Tentatrickle viruses. See: Shell

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

N/A