Threat description
The VLamiX virus spread through BBS systems in August 1994 in an archive called A30!PWA.ZIP. The archive was supposed to contain the version 3.0 of the popular ARJ archiver. Robert Jung, the author of ARJ, confirmed that ARJ 3.0 has not been released.
Depending on the settings of your F-Secure security product, it will either automatically delete, quarantine or rename the suspect file, or ask you for a desired action.
More information on the scanning and removal options available in your F-Secure product can be found in the Help Center.
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VLamiX is a simple resident file virus; it infects EXE files when they are opened, and appends an encrypted copy of itself. It uses a simple encryption routine with a 16-bit decryption key which changes between infections. However, the decryption routine does not change and it makes the virus easy to spot.
The virus contains several bugs. It often manages to corrupt files irreparably instead of infecting them.
The name VLamiX is taken from a text string found underneath an encryption layer:
smartc*.cps chklist.* -=*@DIE_LAMER@*=- CHKLIST ??? CHKLIST.CPS VLamiX-1
VLamiX attacks CPAV and MSAV by deleting their checksum files. It also activates when it sees the text -=*@DIE_LAMER@*=- on-screen. At that time, it will overwrite a floppy in the B: drive, if such exists.
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