Threat Descriptions

Arbeit

Classification

Category :

Malware

Type :

Virus

Platform :

W97M

Aliases :

Arbeit

Summary

W97M/Arbeit is a Word 97 macro virus with a destructive payload.

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

Variant:Arbeit.A

When an infected document is opened, W97M/Arbeit.A disables the built-in macro virus protection, the status bar and the following menus: "Tools/Macros/Macro" and "Tools/Macros/Visual Basic Editor". It also modifies the user name and initials to: 

User name:
NoWork Inc.

 Initials:
 NWI

Then the virus creates a temporary file "C:\mlpog.sys" that it uses to infect the global template and all documents closed after that.

The virus activates its payload every day after October 15th, when it shows a message box with the following text: 

The technology will be kill humaneness

After the message box has been shown, it deletes all files from the root directory of the "C:" drive.