VLamiX

Summary

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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.

Removal

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Automatic action

Once detected, the F-Secure security product will automatically disinfect the suspect file by either deleting it or renaming it.

More

Detailed instructions for F-Secure security products are available in the documentation found in the Downloads section of our Home - Global site.

You may also refer to the Knowledge Base on the F-Secure Community site for further assistance.

Technical Details

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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.

Description Details: Mikko Hypponen, F-Secure