back to article Microsoft malware removal tool takes out Public Enemy No. 4

Microsoft this week used its Malicious Software Removal Tool to take out the fourth-biggest threat in automated program's history, which dates back to at least 2005. The malware, known as Win32/Renocide, is a crafty backdoor-enabled worm that spreads through removable drives, network shares and popular file-sharing applications …

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  1. Anomalous Cowturd
    Linux

    Why so long?

    You say this malware was released in 2008, and yet MS have only now got around to dealing with it?

    How long have mainstream AV providers been detecting it?

    Not that I care... ^-^

    1. Lars Silver badge

      Longer

      2005 according to the text, but then again Windows is still older so there is nothing odd about that.

    2. jonathanb Silver badge

      Re: Why so long?

      Well, how long has MS Security Essentials and Forefront been dealing with it? The malicious software removal tool is not a replacement for anti-virus.

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Linux

      re: How long have mainstream AV providers been detecting it?

      McAfee dealt with it 12/05/2008 according to this: http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_153535.htm

      But I don't care much about it either. :-)

    4. Ammaross Danan
      Coat

      Fixed...

      So, MS puts this virus in their MSRT just weeks after nerfing its primary means of spreading? (autorun.inf executing on insertion of removable drive).

      It's a shame that most virii hobble the computer to the point that normal users can't really run the MSRT for some nasties. Just a shame that MS would get hit with a lawsuit by antivirus vendors and normal users if they bundled MS Security Essentials with Windows (with option to remove, just like any other vendor bloatware, of course). Of course, we can continue ragging on MS for not providing such security out-of-the-box, but honestly, only the /bugs/ are their fault. The fact that users say "yes" to anything they get prompted to download is not their fault, and is by far the more likely means of getting infected.

  2. Anonymous South African Coward Bronze badge
    Terminator

    They should've kept quiet about it...

    It'll be back in a nastier package...

  3. JDX Gold badge

    #4 Malware threat

    <insert joke about MS Office>

  4. bill 30

    Why so long?

    "you say this malware was released in 2008, and yet MS have only now got around to dealing with it?"

    awww... put your dick back in your pants....it matters not the past... its the moment

    1. Paul Crawford Silver badge

      @Why so long?

      "it matters not the past... its the moment"

      Indeed it is, but if you see something acknowledged now as being unfixed for over 2 years, you do wonder how much else has been ignored.

      Say MS, how is the two month old MHTML bug fix coming?

      1. The Original Steve
        FAIL

        Whats to fix?

        This isn't exploted by a hole. If people ran with as users rather than admin, setup shares with the right permissions and have outbound port blocking and a half decent AV then there is no issue.

        I call the above "using a computer properly".

        What exactly do you think the MSRT 'fixes'?

  5. Paul_Murphy

    So..

    Is Microsoft releasing a Linux version of their tool?

    :-)

    ttfn

  6. Anonymous Coward
    IT Angle

    What's the point of this story?

    Some comics ...

    https://www.ubersoft.net/comic/hd/2011/03/not-apology-we-were-hoping

    http://news.yahoo.com/comics/dilbert

  7. amanfromMars 1 Silver badge

    The Bottom Line at the Top of the Pile... with AI Cutting Away a Way through All of the B***S****

    "What's the point of this story?" .... Anonymous Coward Posted Thursday 17th March 2011 13:28 GMT

    If you don't have a hate figure, how are you gonna discover what LOVE is.

    And LOVE conquers ALL. Period.

    * It's an in joke for those that in the know, who know you know, you know ...... and, to put it mildly and misunderestimate it greatly, the Most Valuable of Priceless Present Time Future Space COSMIC Info.

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