Win32/Cridex.AA

Posted: March 21, 2013

Threat Metric

The Threat Meter is a malware assessment that SpywareRemove.com's research team is able to give every identifiable malware threat. Our Threat Meter includes several criteria based off of specific malware threats to value their severity, reach and volume. The Threat Meter is able to give you a numerical breakdown of each threat's initial Threat Level, Detection Count, Volume Count, Trend Path and Percentage Impact. The overall ranking of each threat in the Threat Meter is a basic breakdown of how all threats are ranked within our own extensive malware database. The scoring for each specific malware threat can be easily compared to other emerging threats to draw a contrast in its particular severity. The Threat Meter is a useful tool in the endeavor of seeking a solution to remove a threat or pursue additional analytical research for all types of computer users.

The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:

Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.

Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.

Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.

Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.

% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.

Threat Level:	8/10
Infected PCs:	9

First Seen:	March 21, 2013
Last Seen:	October 18, 2020
OS(es) Affected:	Windows

Win32/Cridex.AA is a recent variant of the Cridex Trojan, a spyware worm that steals sensitive information related to web accounts, particularly bank-based ones. Jumping onto the same bandwagon as Troj/SwfExp-BN and Troj/PDFJS-ADE, Win32/Cridex.AA is distributed through spam e-mail messages that pretend to carry news about the Cyprus banking bailout. Instead, these messages redirect victims to drive-by-downloads for Win32/Cridex.AA – before sending them off to a legitimate BBC website as a distraction from this attack. Win32/Cridex.AA doesn't show major symptoms of its presence even while Win32/Cridex.AA steals highly-confidential information, and SpywareRemove.com malware researchers recommend that anyone who's been exposed to the above e-mail content should scan their PCs with anti-malware products capable of removing Win32/Cridex.AA painlessly.

When Cypriot's Problems Become Everyone Else's Problems, Too

Win32/Cridex.AA is one of multiple PC threats that have taken to using news of Cyprus's financial troubles as an easy lead-in for infecting other computers. Win32/Cridex.AA is distributed indirectly via a spam e-mail campaign that is designed to look like a link to the BBC website. However, while the link in question eventually does redirect you to that website, before doing so it will force your browser to load an unrelated and malicious site. Sufficient anti-malware and web-browsing security may block this site before it can load its content, which includes a copy of the Blackhole Exploit Kit.

BEK then loads a Java vulnerability (for Oracle Java SE 7 Update 15 and earlier, 6 Update 41 and earlier, and 5.0 Update 40 and earlier) that allows it to install Win32/Cridex.AA without needing your permission. SpywareRemove.com malware researchers usually recommend that you keep your software updated to reduce vulnerabilities that BEK may abuse, but BEK also has been known to use vulnerabilities without security patches. Disabling Java, JavaScript and Flash when they're not necessary also is a commendable defense.

The Scoop About What Win32/Cridex.AA Wants from You

The Cridex family of worms, of which Win32/Cridex.AA is a participant, usually includes attacks against account login information. Prominent social networking accounts (such as those for Facebook or Twitter) and all accounts related to online banks should be considered the most likely targets of a Win32/Cridex.AA attack, which will try to steal the information without alerting you to its presence.

Because Win32/Cridex.AA is a sophisticated and stealth-oriented PC threat that can distribute itself, SpywareRemove.com malware researchers recommend that you try to isolate any Win32/Cridex.AA-infected PC and then use appropriate anti-malware software to remove Win32/Cridex.AA. Avoid sharing any removable devices or allowing other PCs to access your hard drive via networks, and be alert for Win32/Cridex.AA's possible attempts to spread via e-mail to any contacts that are stored in your address book.

After clearing out a Win32/Cridex.AA infection, SpywareRemove.com malware analysts also encourage you to double-check any accounts for possible hijacks and related leaks. Even after deleting Win32/Cridex.AA, changing all passwords in current use is heavily advised.

Win32/Cridex.AA

Threat Metric

When Cypriot's Problems Become Everyone Else's Problems, Too

The Scoop About What Win32/Cridex.AA Wants from You

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