Clampi Virus Pilfers Online Banking Codes, but Your Computer Is Safe; Really?

Clampi Virus Brings Trojans More Airplay

The Clampi Virus is actually a Trojan horse rather than a bona fide virus. The Washington Post reports that Clampi allows cyber crooks access to the password and login information they need to steal money from your online banking accounts. It is the theft of payroll funds from a Oklahoma school district that gave the story legs, and once again underscores the danger of not only the Clampi Trojan, but also other malware that might haunt your computer system.

Clampi, Ilomo or Clomp?

McAfee knows the Clampi virus - which really is the Clampi Trojan - as the Ilomo that has been on the scene since 2006. What makes Clampi so successful is its ability to spread within networks merely by mimicking a desired download, such as a newsgroup posting, which is then run on all computers within the network. Trust Defender advises that Clampi is known under a variety of names, and what adds to the insidious nature of this Trojan is the fact that it does not leave a recoverable trace of its work.

In other words, you have no idea what has been stolen from you. If, like many consumers, you access your credit card accounts, home equity line of credit and various banking institutions from your computer, it is virtually impossible to ascertain the limit of the damage done, unless you contact each and every organization.

Does Clampi Threaten Your Banking Data?

If you use one computer to surf the web, check email, and do your online banking and bill paying, you are at risk. Security specialists from SecureWorks - as reported by the Washington Post - strongly suggest to have a separate, dedicated computer for your online banking, while another unit is used to handle your web surfing, emailing, and other online activities. This, of course, is virtually impossible for most computer users, who may only own one computer.

So what's a consumer to do? First and foremost, realize that the Clampi Virus is a Trojan. It must be downloaded and executed to start working. You may receive Clampi in your email from a friend, see it on a website that offers the latest and greatest downloads, and also come from peer to peer networking sites.

What's This about the Clampi and the Backup Files

The good news is that your religiously updated virus software will remove the Clampi Trojan. That being said, if you run Windows ME or XP, there is a chance that Clampi is also nesting in your automatic backup file. While disabling the utility is a snap, getting it cleaned up is a bit trickier. Unless you are an old hand at deleting the data in your automatic backup, enlist the help of a knowledgeable computer nerd of your acquaintance to do the deed. Better yet, check your computer's warranty and have a professional swipe and sweep your system.

Now, about that remote backup utility you are using ...

Sources
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/09/clamping_down_on_clampi.html
http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_138472.htm
http://www.trustdefender.com/blog/2009/08/19/why-is-clampi-ilomo-so-effective-an-analysis-with-detectionremoval-info/